S Block Complete

s-BLOCK ELEMENTS
CONTENTS
Particular Page No.
Theory 01 – 24
Exercise - 1 25 – 30
Part - I : Subjective Questions
Part - II : Only One Option Correct Type
Part - III : Match the Columns
Part - I : Only One Option Correct Type
Part - II : Single or Double Digit Integer Type Questions
Part - III : One or More Than One Options Correct Type
Part – IV : Comprehensions
Part - I : JEE(ADVANCED) / IIT-JEE Problems (Previous Years)
Part - II : JEE(MAIN) / AIEEE Problems (Previous Years)
Answers 38 – 42
Additional Problems For Self Practice (APSP) 43 – 50

Part - I : PRACTICE TEST-1 (IIT-JEE (MAIN Pattern))
Part - II : NATIONAL STANDARD EXAMINATION IN CHEMISTRY (NSEC) STAGE-I
Part – III : PRACTICE TEST-2 (IIT-JEE (ADVANCED Pattern))
APSP Answers 51
APSP Solutions 51 – 55
JEE(ADVANCED) SYLLABUS
s-Block Elements : Preparation and properties of the following compounds : Oxides, peroxides,
hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides and sulphates of sodium, potassium, magnesium and
calcium.
JEE (MAIN) SYLLABUS
s-Block Elements : Group-1 and 2 Elements : General introduction, electronic configuration and
general trends in physical and chemical properties of elements, anomalous properties of the first element
of each group, diagonal relationships. Preparation and properties of some important compounds-sodium
carbonate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and sodium hydrogen carbonate; Industrial uses of lime,
limestone, Plaster of Paris and cement; Biological significance of Na, K, Mg and Ca.
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s-Block Elements
Section (A) : General facts about elements

The elements in which the last electron enters the outermost s-orbital are called s-block elements.
As the s-orbital can accommodate only two electrons, two groups 1 and 2 belong to the s-block.
Flame Test
The alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and their salts impart characteristic colour to an oxidizing
flame.
Reason: This is because the heat from the flame excites the outermost orbital electron to a higher
energy level. When they drop back to the ground state, there is emission of radiation in the visible
region.
The electrons in beryllium and magnesium are too strongly bound (due to small size) to get excited by
flame. Hence, these elements do not impart any colour to the flame.
Metal Li Na K Rb Cs
Colour Crimson red Yellow Violet / Lilac Red violet Blue
Metal Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Colour No colour No colour Brick red Crimson red Apple green
Higher oxidation zone

(melting zone) 1550ºC
Higher reduction zone 1560ºC
520ºC
Lower oxidation zone
1450ºC
Lower reduction zone
300ºC
Section (B) Based on Periodic trends

Group – 1st(IA) Elements : (Alkali Metals)
Atomic and Physical properties of the Alkali metals
Lithium Sodium Potassium Rubidium Caesium Francium
Property
Li Na K Rb Cs Fr
Atomic number 3 11 19 37 55 87
–1
Atomic mass (g mol ) 6.94 22.99 39.10 85.47 132.91 (223)
1 1 1
Electronic configuration [He] 2s [Ne] 3s [Ar] 4s [Kr] 5s1 [Xe] 6s1 [Rn] 7s1
Ionization enthalpy / kJ mol–1 520 496 419 403 376 ~375
–1
Hydration enthalpy/kJ mol –506 –406 –330 –310 –276 –
Metallic radius / pm 152 186 227 248 265 –
Ionic radius M+/ pm 76 102 138 152 167 (180)
m.p. / K 454 371 336 312 302 –
b.p / K 1615 1156 1032 961 944 –
Density / g cm–3 0.53 0.97 0.86 1.53 1.90 –
Standard potentials E/ V for (M+/ M) –3.04 –2.714 –2.925 –2.930 –2.927 –
†
Occurrence in lithosphere 18* 2.27** 1.84** 78-12* 2-6* ~ 10–18*
*ppm (part per million), ** Percentage by weight
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ADV SBC - 1
s-Block Elements
Group IIA Elements (Alkaline Earth Metals)
Beryllium Magnesium Calcium Strontium Barium Radium
Property
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
Atomic number 4 12 20 38 56 88
Atomic mass (g mol–1) 9.01 24.31 40.08 87.62 137.33 226.03
Electron configuration [He] 2s2 [Ne] 3s2 [Ar] 4s2 [Kr] 5s2 [Xe] 6s2 [Rn] 7s2
–1
Ionization enthalpy (I) / kJ mol 899 737 590 549 503 509
Ionization enthalpy (II) /kJ mol–1 1757 1450 1145 1064 965 979
Hydration enthalpy (kJ/mol) – 2494 – 1921 –1577 – 1443 – 1305 –
Metallic radius / pm 112 160 197 215 222 –
2+
Ionic radius M / pm 31 72 100 118 135 148
m.p. / K 1560 924 1124 1062 1002 973
b.p / K 2745 1363 1767 1655 2078 (1973)
–3
Density / g cm 1.84 1.74 1.55 2.63 3.59 (5.5)
2+
Standard potential E/ V for (M / M) –1.97 –2.36 –2.84 –2.89 – 2.92 –2.92
–6
Occurrence in lithosphere 2* 2.76** 4.6** 384* 390* 10 *
Section (C) & (D) : Based on Chemical Bonding, Properties of elements

Properties of Alkali and Alkaline earth metals
S.No. Atomic Properties Alkali metals Alkaline earth metals
1 2
1. Outer Electronic ns ns
configuration
2. Oxidation number (i)These elements easily form univalent The IP1 of these metals are much lower than IP2 and
1
and valency +ve ion by losing loosely solitary ns thus it appears that
electron due to low IP value. these metals should form univalent ion rather than
divalent ions but in actual practice, all these give
bivalent ion.
3. Atomic and Ionic Increase down the group, because value The atomic and ionic radii of the alkali earth metal
radii of n (principal quantum number) are smaller than corresponding alkali metals.
increases. Order = Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs. Reason
higher nuclear charge (Zeff)
On moving down the group size increase, as value
of n increases.
Be < Mg < Ca < Sr < Ba
4. Ionisation Energy As size increases, I.E. decreases down Down the group IE decreases due to increase in
the group (so Cs have lowest I.P.) size. Be > Mg > Ca > Sr > Ba
Order = Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs IE1 of Alkali metal < IE1 of Alkaline earth metal
IE2 of Alkali metal > IE2 of Alkaline earth metal
Reason
IE1 of Alkaline earth metal is large due to increased
nuclear charge in Alkaline earth metal as compared
to Alkali metal but IE2 of Alkali metal is large
because second electron in Alkali metal is to be
removed from cation which has already acquired
noble gas configuration
5. Electropositive Alkali metals are strongly electropositive Due to low IE they are strong electropositive but not
character or metallic and metallic. Down the group as strong as Alkali metal because of comparatively
character electropositive nature increase so metallic high IE. The electropositive character increase down
nature also increases. the group.
+ –
i.e. M  M + e Order = Be < Mg < Ca < Sr < Ba
Metallic Nature: Electropositive character
1 /I.P.
Order = Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs.
ADV SBC - 2
s-Block Elements
2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
6. Hydration of ions (i) Hydration represents for the Hydration energy = Be > Mg > Ca > Sr >Ba
dissolution of a substance in water to get
absorb water molecule by weak valency
forces Hydration of ions in the process
when ions on dissolution in water get
hydrated.
(ii) Hydration energy  charge density on
ion
Degree of hydration  1/Cation size 
charge  1/ionic mobility  1/conductivity
+ + + +
Hydration energy = Li > Na > K > Rb >
+
Cs
+
(iii) Li being smallest in size has
maximum degree of hydration and that is
why lithium salts are mostly hydrated and
moves very slowly under the influence of
electric field. e.g : LiCl.2H2O.
7. Photoelectric effect The phenomenon of emission of
electrons when electromagnetic rays
strikes
against them is called photoelectric effect;
Alkali metal have low I.P. so show
photoelectric effect. Cs and K are used in
Photoelectric cells.
8. Electronegativity (i)These metals are highly electopositive (i) Their electronegativities are also small but are
and there by possess low values of higher than that of alkali metals
electro negativities. (ii) Electronegativity decrease from Be to Ba
(ii)Electronegativity of alkali metals
decreases down the group.
Order = Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs
S.No. Physical Property Alkali metals Alkaline earth metals

1. Density (i)All are light metals. (i) Heavier than alkali metals.
(ii) Density increase down the group but K is lighter (ii) Density decrease slightly up to Ca after
than Na. which it increases.
Order = Li < K < Na < Rb < Cs (iii) Density of Mg is greater than Ca.
2. Hardness (i) All are silvery white metals. Relatively soft but harder than Alkali
(ii) Light soft, malleable and ductile metals with metals.
metallic luster.
(iii) Diamagnetic and colour less in form of ions.
(iv) These metals are very soft and can be cut with a
knife. Lithium is harder than any other alkali metal.
The cutting of sodium The hardness depends upon cohensive energy.
metal
Cohensive energy  Force of attraction between
atoms.
3. Melting points/ Boiling (i) Lattice energy decreases from Li to Cs and thus They have low Melting points and Boiling
points Melting points and Boiling points also decrease from points but are higher than corresponding
Li to Cs. value of group I.
M.P. = Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs Reason
B.P. = Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs They have two valence electrons which
may participate in metallic bonding
compared with only one electron in Alkali
metal. Consequently group II elements are
harder and have higher cohesive energy
and so, have much higher Melting points /
Boiling points than Alkali metal .
M.P. = Be > Ca > Sr >Ba > Mg ,B.P. = Be
> Ba > Ca > Sr > Mg
4. Specific heat It decreases from Li to Cs. Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs values are lesser than that of alkali metals,
(*need not to memorise) decreases down the group.
*need not memorise.
ADV SBC - 3
s-Block Elements
S.No. Chemical Alkali metals Alkaline earth metals
Property
1. (i) They generally form oxides and peroxides. (i) Be and Mg are kinetically inert towards oxygen
M+O2   M2O (Oxide) O  2  M2O2 (Peroxide) becasue of formation of a film of oxide on their
The alkali metals tarnish in dry air due to the formation surface. However powdered Be burn brilliantly.

of their oxides on their surface. 2Be + O2 (air) 
 2BeO(amphoteric) ;
4M + O2 — 2M2O 
3Be + N2 (air)   Be3N2
They react vigorously in oxygen forming following
oxides. (ii) Mg is more electropositive and burns with
4 Li + O2 — 2 Li2O (Monoxide) dazzling brilliance in air give MgO and Mg3N2.

2 Na + O2 — Na2O2 (Peroxide) Mg + O2(air) 
 MgO ;
M + O2 — MO2 ( Superoxide) where M = K, Rb, Cs Mg + N2(air)  
Mg3N2

Principal Combustion Product (Minor Product) Peroxides are coloured due to lattice defect.
Metal Oxide Peroxide Superoxide (Similar property with Li because both shows
Li Li2O (Li2O2) diagonal relation.)
Na (Na2O) Na2O2
(iii) Ba gives BaO2 not BaO.
KO2(Orange/Yellow
K (iv) Calcium, strontium and barium are readily
Crystalline)
Action with attacked by air to form the oxide and nitride. They
RbO2 (Orange/Yellow
O2 and N2 Rb
Crystalline) also react water with increasing vigour even in cold
CsO2 (Orange/Yellow to form hydroxides.
Cs
Crystalline) (v) BeO, MgO are used as refractory, because they
The oxides and peroxides are colourless when pure. have high M.P.
(ii) All super oxide are paramagnetic and peroxides (vi) Other metals (Ba or Sr form peroxide)
are diamagnetic in nature. 
(iii) The increasing stability of the peroxide or M + O2 
 MO2
superoxide as the size of the metal ion increases is
due to the stabilisation of large anions by larger
cations through lattice energy effect.
(iv) Since all the alkali metals are highly reactive
towards air ; they are kept in kerosene oil. Reactivity
increases from Li to Cs.
(v) Only Lithium reacts with N2 (at room temperature)
to form ionic lithium nitride Li3N because Li being
3–
strongest reducing agent converts N2 into N .
3Li + 1/2N2 — Li3N
2. (i) Alkali metals decompose water to form the (i) Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra decompose cold water readily
hydroxides having the formula MOH and dihydrogen. with evolution of hydrogen.
2M + 2H2O — 2MOH(aq.) + H2(g) (M = An alkali M + 2H2O   M(OH) 2 + H2
metal).
(ii) Magnesium decomposes boiling water but
(ii) Li decompose water slowly, sodium reacts with
water quickly K, Rb and Cs react with water beryllium is not attacked by water even at high
temperatures as its oxidation potential is lower
vigorously.
than the other members
(iii) It may be noted that although lithium has most
negative E value (In below table), its reaction with
water is less vigorous than that of sodium which has
the least negative E value among the alkali metals.
This behaviour of lithium is attributed to its small size
and very high hydration energy. It’s explanation lies in
Kinetics, released energy in case of K, Rb, Cs is
Action with sufficient to melt or even vapourise and so more
water surface area is exposed to the water and kinetically
reaction is faster than lithium. Other metals of the
group react explosively with water.
Alkali metals
Property
Li Na K Rb Cs Fr
Standard
– 2.714
– 2.925
– 2.930
– 2.927
– 3.04
potentials
–
E /V for
+
(M /M)
(iv) They also react with proton donors such as

alcohol, gaseous ammonia and terminal alkynes
evolution of hydrogen.
2M + 2C2H5OH — 2C2H5OM + H2
Ethyl alcohol Metal ethoxide
3. (i)They react with H2 forming metal hydride with (i) Except Be, all alkaline earth metals form hydrides
formula MH which are of ionic nature. Stability of (MH2) on heating directly with H2.
hydride decreases down the group. Since the (ii)The stability of hydrides decreases from Be to Ra.
Hydrides
electropositive character decreases from Cs to Li. (iii) BeH2 is prepared by the action of LiAlH4 on
2M + H2 —2MH BeCl2.
ADV SBC - 4
s-Block Elements
(iii) The metal hydrides react with water to give MOH BeCl2 +LiAlH4 — 2BeH2 + LiCl+ AlCl3
and H2. (act as reducing agent) BeH2 & MgH2 is covalent and polymeric but other are
MH + H2O — MOH + H2 ionic.
H H H
Be Be
H H H
(iv) The ionic hydrides of Ca, Sr, Ba liberate H2 at

anode and metal at cathode.
4. (i)The alkali metals react vigorously with halogens to (i)The alkaline earth metals directly combine with
+ –
form ionic halides M X . halogens on heating to give metal halides MX2
+ –
2M + X2 2 M X (X=F,Cl,Br,I)
(ii) Alkali metals halides (Cl2, Br2, I2) formation is (ii) Thermal decomposition of (NH4)2BeF4 is the best
increases form Li to Cs due to increase in route for the preparation of BeF2, and BeCl2 is
electropositive character. conveniently made from the oxide.
Order of reactivity towards F2
Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs BeO + C + Cl BeCl2 + CO
(iii) LiX have more covalent character (It is because of Anhydrous beryllium halide can not be obtained from
the high polarisation capability of Lithium ion (fajan’s materials made in aqueous solution because the
2+
rules)). hydrated ions [Be(H2O)4] is formed. i.e.
(iv)Halides having ionic nature have high melting point [Be(H2O)4]Cl2
and are good conductor of current in fused state. On dehydration, hydrolysis takes place.
These are readily soluble in water. heat
(v) Halides of potassium, rubidium and ceasium have [Be(H2O)4]Cl2   Be(OH)2 + 2HCl
property of combining with extra halogen atoms (iii) Except for beryllium halides, all other halides of
forming polyhalides. alkaline earth metals are ionic in nature. Beryllium
KI + I2 — KI3 halides are essentially covalent and soluble in
organic solvents. Beryllium chloride has a chain
structure in the solid state as shown below :
Cl–Be–Cl
Cl Cl
Halides Be Be Be
Cl
Cl
In the vapour phase BeCl2 tends to form a chloro-
bridged dimer which dissociates into the linear
monomer at high temperatures of the order of 1200
K.
(iv)The ionic character of halides increases from Be
to Ra.
(v)Beryllium halides have covalent character due to
small size and high effective nuclear charge and thus
do not conduct electricity in molten state.
(vi) The fluorides are relatively less soluble than the
chlorides owing to their high lattice energies.
(vii)The decreases in solubility of halides down the
group is due to decrease in hydration energy
because of increasing size of metal cation .
(viii) The tendency to form halide hydrates gradually
decreases (for example, MgCl2·6H2O, CaCl2·6H2O,
SrCl2·6H2O and BaCl2·2H2O) down the group. The
dehydration of hydrated chlorides, bromides and
iodides of Ca, Sr and Ba can be achieved on heating;
however, the corresponding hydrated halides of Be
and Mg on heating suffer hydrolysis.
(ix) CaCl2 has strong affinity with water and is used
as dehydrating agent.
5. Property
Alkali metals The alkaline earth metals are strong reducing agents.
Li Na K Rb Cs Fr This is indicated by large negative values of their
Standard reduction potentials (below table). However their
– 2.714
– 2.925
– 2.930
– 2.927
– 3.04
Reducing potentials reducing power is less than those of their

–
nature E /V for corresponding alkali metals. Beryllium has less

+
(M /M) negative value compared to other alkaline earth
(*need not
to (i) Reducing agent is electron donor. The alkali metals metals.
memorise) are strong reducing agents, lithium being the most and However, its reducing nature is due to large
sodium the least powerful (above table). The standard hydration energy associated with the small size of
electrode potential (E) which measures the reducing 2+
Be ion and relatively large value of the atomization
power represents the overall change : enthalpy of the metal.
ADV SBC - 5
s-Block Elements
M(s)  M(g) Sublimation enthalpy Alkaline earth metals
+ – Property
M(g) M (g) + e Ionization enthalpy Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
+ +
M (g) + H2O  M (aq) Hydration enthalpy Standard
– 1.97
– 2.36
– 2.84
– 2.89
– 2.92
– 2.92
(ii) Lithium is expected to be least reducing agent due potentials
to it's very high I.E. However, lithium has the highest E /V for
+
hydration enthalpy which accounts for its high negative (M /M)
E value and its high reducing power.
Reducing Nature in gas phase
= Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs.
Reducing Nature in aqueous condition
= Li > Cs > Rb > K > Na.
6. (i) These oxides are easily hydrolysed by water to form Basic/thermal stability
the hydroxides.
Thus M2O (oxide) + H2O  MOH = Be(OH)2<Mg(OH) 2<Ca(OH) 2<Sr(OH)2 <Ba(OH) 2
M2O2 (peroxide) + H2O  2 MOH +H2O2
Basic MO2 (superoxide) + H2O  2 MOH +H2O2+O2
nature of (ii) The Hydroxide which are obtained by the reaction
hydroxide of the oxide. With water all are white crystalline solids.
The alkali metal hydroxides are the strongest of all
bases and dissolve freely in water with evolution of
much heat an account of intense hydration.
Basic nature/Solubility in water/Thermal stability
= LiOH < NaOH < KOH < RbOH < CsOH
7. (i) The carbonates (M2CO3) and bicarbonates (i) All these metal carbonates MCO3 are insoluble in
(MHCO3) are highly stable to heat, where M as alkali neutral medium but soluble in acids and decompose
metals. on red heating.
(ii) Group 1 metals are so strongly basic, they (except (ii) The stability of carbonates increases with
lithium) also form solid bicarbonates. No other metals increase in electropositive character of metal.
form solid bicarbonates. Lithium carbonate is not so BeCO3 < MgCO3 < CaCO3 < SrCO3 < BaCO3
stable to heat. Its hydrogencarbonate does not exist (iii) Bicarbonates of alkaline earth metals do not exist
as a solid. Although NH4HCO3 also exists as a solid.
in solid state but are known in solution only on
(iii) The stability of these salts increases with the
heating their solution bicarbonates decomposed to
increasing electropositive character from Li to Cs. It is liberate CO2 .
therefore Li2CO3 decompose on heating. 
Thermal stability/Solubility in water. M(HCO3)2  MCO3+CO2 + H2O
Li2CO3 < Na2CO3 < K2CO3 < Rb2CO3 < Cs2CO3 (Solution)
LiHCO3 does not exist in solid form due to high (iv)Solubility of carbonates decrease on moving
+ +
polarizing power of Li and uncomparable size of Li down the group.
–
cation and HCO3 anion. BeCO3 > MgCO3 > CaCO3 > SrCO3 > BaCO3

Li2CO3  Li2O + CO2
(iv) Bicarbonates are decomposed at relatively low
Carbonates temperature.
and 300ºC
2MHCO3  M2CO3 + H2O+ CO2
bicarbonates
(v) Hydrolysis of carbonate
Na2CO3 + 2H2O —2NaOH + H2CO3
Li2CO3 + 2H2O — sparingly soluble
(vi) The crystal structures of NaHCO3 and KHCO3 both
show hydrogen bonding, but are different.
–
(a) In NaHCO3, the HCO3 ions are linked into an
infinite chain.
–
(b) in KHCO3, RbHCO3, CsHCO3, HCO3 forms a
dimeric anion.
Solubility in water NaHCO3 < KHCO3 < RbHCO3 <
CsHCO3
(a)
(b)
2+
8. (i) A metal shows complex formation only when it has Be on account of smaller size forms many
– 2–
following characteristics. complexes such as [Be F3] , [BeF4]
(a) Small size, (b) High nuclear charge, (c) Presence 2+
Chlorophyll contains Mg [Photosynthetic pigment in
Complex
of empty orbitals in order to accept electron pair plants] (C.No.= 4)
ion
from ligand (electron pair donor species). 2+ +
[Be(H2O)4] + H2O — [Be(H2O)3OH] + H3O
+
formation
(ii) Due to small size only Lithium in alkali metals,
forms a few complex ions. Rest all alkali metals do not
possess the tendency to form complex ion.
ADV SBC - 6
s-Block Elements
Reacts vigorously with acids The alkaline earth metals readily react with acids
Reaction 2M + H2SO4 —M2SO4 + H2 liberated dihydrogen.
9. with acids
M + 2HCl — MCl2 + H2
(i) Alkali metals get dissolved in mercury to form Alkaline earth metals get dissolved in mercury to
Formation amalgams with evolution of heat and the form amalgams with evolution of heat and the
10. of amalgamation is highly exothermic. amalgamation is highly exothermic.
amalgams (ii) Alkali metals form alloys themselves as well as with
other metals.
(i) MSO4 type sulphates are formed
11. Sulphates (i) All these form sulphates of type M2SO4. (ii)The solubility of sulphates decreases on moving
(ii) Except Li2SO4 rest all are soluble in water. down the group. The sulphates of the alkaline earth
Thermal stability /solubility in water metals are all white solids and stable to heat. BeSO4,
Li2SO4 < Na2 SO4 < K2SO4 < Rb2SO4 < Cs2SO4 and MgSO4 are readily soluble in water; the solubility
(iii)These sulphates on fusing with carbon form decreases from CaSO4 to BaSO4. The greater
sulphides. 2+ 2+
hydration enthalpies of Be and Mg ions overcome
M2SO4 + 4C — M2S + 4CO the lattice enthalpy factor and therefore their
sulphates are soluble in water.
Thermal stability
BeSO4 < MgSO4 < CaSO4 < SrSO4 < BaSO4
Solubility in water
BeSO4 > MgSO4 > CaSO4 > SrSO4 > BaSO4
12. Sulphides All metals react with S forming sulphides such as (iii) MSO4 + 2C — MS + 2CO2
Na2S and Na2Sn (n = 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6). The polysulphide 2+ 2–
M + S — MS
ions are made from zig-zag chains of sulphur atoms.
13. (i) Nitrates of both are soluble in water and On heating they decompose into their corresponding
decompose on heating. oxides with evolution of a mixture of nitrogen dioxide
(ii) LiNO3 decomposes to give NO2 and O2 and rest all and oxygen.
give nitrites and oxygen.
M(NO3)2   MO + 2NO2 + ½O2
2MNO3 —2MNO2 +O2 (except Li)
(M = Be, Mg , Cr, Sr, Ba)
4LiNO3 — 2Li2O + 4NO2 + O2
Nitrates 
2NaNO3  2NaNO2 + O2
500ºC

2NaNO3  Na2O + N2 + O2
800ºC
Na
2NaNO3   Na2O + N2 + O2
Li3N + 3H2O — 3LiOH + NH3  Be3N2 + 6H2O  3Be(OH)2 + 2NH3 
14. Nitride
Mg3N2 + 6H2O  3Mg(OH)2 + 2NH3 
When Li is heated with carbon, an ionic carbide Li2C2 The binary compounds of carbon with other elements
15. Carbide is formed. (less electronegative or of similar electronegativity)
2Li + 2C — Li2C2 are called carbides. They are classified into following
Other metals do not react with carbon directly but form 3 categories :
carbides when heated with ethyne, or when ethyne is (i) Ionic (ii) Covalent (iii) Interstitial (or metallic)
passed through a solution of metal in liquid ammonia. (i) Ionic carbides (or salt like carbides) : Generally
Na + C2H2 — NaH + C2 — Na2C2 formed by the most electropositive elements such as
– 2– alkali and alkaline earth metals and aluminium
[CC–H] [CC]
Na2C2 + 2H2O —NaOH + C2H2 (Boron is exception). Based on the product obtained
on hydrolysis, they are further sub-classified into
three types.
(a) Methanides : These give CH4 on reaction with
H2O.
Al4C3 + 12H2O —4Al(OH)3 + 3CH4 ;
Be2C + 4H2O —2Be(OH)2 + CH4
4–
These carbides contain C ions in their constitution.
(b) Acetylides : These give C2H2 on reaction with
H2O.
CaC2 + 2H2O —Ca(OH) 2 + C2H2
Al2 (C2)3 + 6H2O —2Al(OH)3 + 3C2H2
SrC2 + 2H2O —Sr (OH) 2 + C2H2
2–
Such compounds contain C2 ions.
(c) Allylides : These give 1-propyne on reaction
with H2O.
Mg2C3 + 4H2O —2Mg(OH)2 + CH3–CCH
..
4–
Such compounds contain C3 [: C – C  C :] 4 ions.
..
Covalent carbides : Molecules like SiC and B4C are

also examples of covalent carbides.
ADV SBC - 7
s-Block Elements
Interstitial or metallic carbides
Such carbides are formed by transition metals and
some of the lanthanides and actinides. Interstitial
carbides retain many of the properties of metals.
They conduct electricity by metallic conduction and
have properties of metals (a lusture like a metal). In
these compounds carbon atoms occupy octahedral
holes in the closed packed metal lattice. These are
generally very hard and have very high melting point
(e.g. WC). Carbides of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni are
hydrolysed by water or dilute acids.
Lattice Energy: Energy change when one mole of crystalline lattice is formed from gaseous ions
eg. 2Al3+ + 3O2– —Al2O3 + L.E.
Hydration Energy: It is the energy change when gaseous ions form aqueous ions.
+ + +
eg. Na + aq. —Na + H.E. of Na
SO4 + aq. —SO4 + H.E. of SO42–
2- 2-
Solutions in liquid NH3

Alkali metals dissolve in liquid ammonia (high conc. 3 M) and give blue solution which is conducting,
reducing and paramagnetic in nature.
Reason
On dissolving Metal in NH3
M(s) + NH3()  M+(NH3) + e–(NH3)
M+ + x (NH3)  [M(NH3)x]+  Ammoniated cation
e– + y (NH3)  [e(NH3)y]–  Ammoniated electron
The blue colour is due to  Ammoniated electron
The paramagnetic nature is due to  Ammoniated electron
The conducting nature is due to  Ammoniated M+ + Ammoniated electron
On standing the colour fades due to formation of amide after liberating hydrogen.
M+ + e– + NH3  MNH2(amide) + H2(g)
In the absence of impurities like. Fe, Pt, Zn etc, the solutions are stable.
In concentrated solution, the blue colour changes to bronze colour and diamagnetic due to the
formation of metal clusters and ammoniated electrons also associate to form electron pairs
2e– (NH3)y  [ e–(NH3)y]2
Solutions are of much lower density than the pure solvent, i.e., they occupy for greater volume than that
expected from the sum of the volumes of metal and solvent
Peroxide and superoxides of Na & K are widely used as oxidising agent and air purifiers in space
capsules, submarines and breathing mask.
Alkaline metal in liq. NH3

Like alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals dissolve in liquid ammonia to give deep blue black solutions forming
ammoniated ions
2+ –
M + (x + y)NH3 — [M(NH3)x] + 2[e(NH3)y]
2+
From these solutions, the hexa-ammoniates [M(NH3)6] can be recovered.
Uses of alkali metal

(1) Lithium metal is used to make useful alloys,
 with lead to make ‘white metal’ bearings for motor engines.
 with aluminium to make aircraft parts.
 with magnesium to make armour plates.
(2) It is used in thermonuclear reactions.
(3) Lithium is also used to make electrochemical cells.
(4) Sodium is used to make a Na/Pb alloy needed to make PbEt4 and PbMe4. These organolead
compounds were earlier used as anti-knock additives to petrol, but nowadays vehicles use
lead-free petrol.
(5) Liquid sodium metal is used as a coolant in fast breeder nuclear reactors.
(6) Potassium chloride is used as a fertilizer.
ADV SBC - 8
s-Block Elements
(7) Potassium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of soft soap. It is also used as an excellent
absorbent of carbon dioxide.
(8) Caesium is used in devising photoelectric cells.
Uses of alkaline metal

(1) Beryllium is used in the manufacture of alloys.
(2) Copper-beryllium alloys are used in the preparation of high strength springs.
(3) Metallic beryllium is used for making windows of X-ray tubes.
(4) Magnesium forms alloys with aluminium, zinc, manganese and tin. Magnesium-aluminium alloys
being light in mass are used in air-craft construction.
(5) Magnesium (powder and ribbon) is used in flash powders and bulbs, incendiary bombs and signals.
(6) A suspension of magnesium hydroxide in water (called milk of magnesia) is used as antacid in
medicine.
(7) Magnesium carbonate is an ingredient of toothpaste.
(8) Calcium is used in the extraction of metals from oxides which are difficult to reduce with carbon.
(9) Calcium and barium metals, owing to their reactivity with oxygen and nitrogen at elevated
temperatures, have often been used to remove air from vacuum tubes.
(10) Radium salts are used in radiotherapy, for example, in the treatment of cancer.
Biological Importance Of Sodium And Potassium:
 Sodium ions are found primarily on the outside of cells, being located in blood plasma and in the
interstitial fluid which surrounds the cells. These ions participiate in the transmission of nerve
signals, in regulating the flow of water across cell membranes and in the tranasport of sugars
and amino acids into cells. Sodium and potassium, although so similar chemically, differ
quantitatively in their ability to penetrate cell membranes, in their transport mechanisms and in
their efficiency to activate enzymes. Thus, potassium ions are the most aundant cations within
cell fluids, where they activate many enzymes, participate in the oxidation of glucose to produce
ATP and, with sodium, are responsible for the transmission of nerve signals
A typical 70 kg man contains about 90 g of Na and 170 g of K compared with only 5 g of iron and
0.06 g of copper.
Biological Importance of Magnesium and Calcium :
 Monovalent sodium and potassium ions and divalent magnesium and calcium ions are found in
large proportions in biological fluids. These ions perform important biological functions such
as maintenance of ion balance and nerve impulse conduction.
 All enzymes that utilise ATP in phosphate transfer require magnesium as the cofactor. The main
pigment for the absorption of light in plants is chlorophyll which contains magnesium. About 99
% of body calcium is present in bones and teeth. It also plays important roles in neuromuscular
function, interneuronal transmission, cell membrane integrity and blood coagulation.
–1
 The calcium concentration in plasma is regulated at about 100 mgL . It is maintained by two
hormones : calcitonin and parathyroid hormone. Do you know that bone is not an inert and
unchanging substance but is continuously being solubilised and redeposited to the extent of 400
mg per day in man? All this calcium passes through the plasma.
An adult body contains about 25 g of Mg and 1200 g of Ca compared with only 5 g of iron and 0.06 g
of copper. The daily requirement in the human body has been estimated to be 200–300 mg.
ANOMALOUS PROPERTIES OF LITHIUM
The anomalous behavior of lithium is due to the :
(i) Exceptionally small size of its atom and ion,
(ii) High polarising power (i.e., charge/ radius ratio).
As a result, there is increased covalent character of lithium compound which is responsible for their
solubility in organic solvent. Further, lithium shows diagonal relationship to magnesium.
S.No. Property Li
1. Hardness Li is much harder.
2. M.P and B.P Higher M.P and B.P
3. Reactivity Less reactive
4. Reducing agent Strong
5. Combustion in air Li form monoxide (Li2O) and nitride (Li3N) ; not for other.
ADV SBC - 9
s-Block Elements
Favored for Li; not for other.
6. Hydration of ion Li has maximum degree of hydration for this reason. Lithium salts are mostly
hydrated. E.g LiCl.2H2O.
Hydrogen Li is not obtained in the solid form while all other elements form solid hydrogen
7.
Carbonate carbonates.
8. Ethynide Favored for Li ; not for other.
4LiNO
3 
2Li2O + 4NO2 + O2
Lithium Oxide
9. Lithium nitrate
Where as other alkali metal nitrates decompose to give the corresponding nitrite.
2NaNO3  
2NaNO2 + O2
Sodium nitrite
These are much less soluble in water. Solubility in water is less than the
10. LiF and Li2O
corresponding compounds of other alkali metal.
11. Carbide Li reacts directly with carbon to form anionic carbide.
Lithium hydroxide is less basic Li2CO3, LiNO3 and LiOH all form the oxides on gentle
12. Hydroxide
heating.
13. Carbonate Less stable.
14. Nitrite Less stable.
Lithium forms a bicarbonates in solution it does not form a solid bicarbonate.
15. Bicarbonate
Where as the other all forms stable solid bicarbonates.
Complex ion Lithium has a great tendency to form. Complexes not for other. Due to small size of
16.
formation Lithium.
17. Reaction with NH3 Li when heated in NH3 imide (Li2NH) while other alkali metals form amides (MNH2)
Points of Similarities between Lithium and Magnesium

The similarity between lithium and magnesium is particularly striking and arises because of their
similar size: atomic radii, Li = 152 pm, Mg = 160 pm; ionic radii : Li+ = 76 pm, Mg2+ = 72 pm. The main
points of similarity are :
S.No. Properties Li and Mg
1. Hardness Li and Mg are much harder.
2. Density These are lighter than other elements in the respective group.
3. Reaction with water Both react slowly with water.
4. Solubility of hydroxide and oxide Less soluble and their hydroxides decompose in acid on heating.
5. Reaction with N2 By direct combination with nitrogen both form a nitride Li3N and Mg3N2.
The oxides Li2O and MgO donot combine with excess oxygen to give
6. Oxides
any superoxide.
Carbonates of both decompose easily on heating to form the oxides
7. Carbonates
and CO2. Solid hydrogen carbonates are not formed by Li and Mg.
8. Solubility of halides in ethanol Both LiCl and MgCl2 are soluble.
Both LiCl and MgCl2 are deliquescent and crystallise from aqueous
9. Hydration of ion
solution as hydrates, LiCl.H2O and MgCl2.6H2O.
Anamolous Behaviour of Beryllium

The properties of beryllium the first member of the alkaline earth metal, differ from the rest of the
member. Its is mainly because of
(i) Its small size and high polarizing power.
(ii) Relatively high electro negativity and ionization energy as compared to other members.
(iii) Absence of vacant d–orbitals in its valence shell.
Some important points of difference between beryllium and other members (especially magnesium) are
given below.
ADV SBC - 10
s-Block Elements
S.No. Properties
1. Hardness Be is harder than other members of its group
2. Density Be is lighter than Mg
3. M.P. and B.P. Higher then other members of its group.
4. Reaction with water Be does not react with water while Mg reacts with boiling water.
5. Nature of oxides BeO is amphoteric while MgO is weakly basic.
6. Nature of compounds Be forms covalent compounds whereas other members form ionic compounds.
Beryllium carbide reacts with water to give methane whereas carbides of other
alkaline earth metals gives acetylene gas.
7. Carbide Be2C + 4H2O → 2Be (OH)2 + CH4
MgC2 + 2H2O → Mg (OH)2 + C2H2
CaC2 + 2H2O → Ca (OH)2 + C2H2
The beryllium hydride is electron deficient and polymeric, with muti center
8. Hydride
bonding like aluminium hydride.
Beryllium does not exhibit coordination number more than four as it has four
9. Co-ordination number orbitals in the valence shell. The other members of this group has coordination
number 6.
Be dissolves in alkalies with evolution of hydrogen
Be + 2NaOH +2H2O→ Na2BeO2.2H2O + H2
10. Reaction with Alkali
(sodium beryllate
Other alkaline earth metals don't react with alkalies.
Resemblance of Beryllium with Aluminium (Diagonal relationship)
The following points illustrate the anomalous behaviour of Be and its resemblance with Al.
S.No. Properties Be and Al
1. Nature of compounds Unlike groups-2 elements but like aluminium, beryllium forms covalent compounds.
2. Nature of hydroxide The hydroxides of Be, [Be(OH)2] and aluminium [Al(OH)3] are amphoteric in
nature, whereas those of other elements of group – 2 are basic in nature.
3. Nature of oxide The oxides of both Be and Al i.e. BeO and Al2O3 are high melting insoluble solids.
4. Polymeric structure BeCl2 and AlCl3 have bridged chloride polymeric structure.
5. Salts The salts of beryllium as well as aluminium are extensively hydrolysed.

6. Carbides Carbides of both the metal reacts with water liberating methane gas.
Be2C + 4H2O → 2Be (OH)2 + CH4
Al4C3 + 12H2O → 4Al(OH)3 + 3CH4
7. Oxides and The oxides and hydroxides of both Be and Al are amphoteric and dissolve in
hydroxides sodium hydroxide as well as in hydrochloric acid.
BeO + 2HCl → BeCl2 + H2O
BeO + 2NaOH → Na2BeO2 + H2O
Al2O3 + 6HCl → 2AlCl3 + H2O
Al2O3 + 2NaOH → 2NaAlO2 + H2O
8. Reaction with acids Like Al, Be is not readily attacked by acids because of the presence of an oxide
film.
ADV SBC - 11
s-Block Elements
Section (E) : Oxides, Peroxides, Super Oxides, Hydroxides
GROUP -I & II OXIDES
1. Sodium Oxide (Na2O)
Preparation:
Name of compound Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction
(1) By burning sodium at 180°C in a limited supply of air or 1 180º
2Na + O2   Na2O
oxygen and distilling off the excess of sodium in vacuum. 2
Sodium Oxide Na2O2 + 2Na —2Na2O
(2) By heating sodium peroxide, nitrate or nitrite with
(Na2O) sodium. 2NaNO3 + 10Na —6Na2O + N2
2NaNO2 + 6Na —4Na2O + N2
(3) Sodium oxide is formed when the mixture of sodium 3NaN3 + NaNO2  2Na2O + 5N2
azide and sodium nitrite is heated.
Chemical Properties:
(1) It is white amorphous substance.
(2) It dissolve violently in water, yielding caustic soda (NaOH) and evolving a large amount of heat.
Na2O + H2O  2NaOH
Uses : It is used as dehydrating and polymerising agent in organic chemistry.
2. Sodium Peroxide (Na2O2)
Preparation
(1) By heating the metal in excess of air or 300ºC
2Na + O2 (excess)  Na2O2
oxygen at 300°, which is free from
Sodium Peroxides moisture and CO2.
(Na2O2) (2) Industrial method : 2Na + O2 — Na2O
It is a two stage reaction in the presence
of excess air. Na2O + O2 — Na2O2
Properties:
(1) It is a pale yellow solid (when impure), becoming white in air from the formation of a film of NaOH and
Na2CO3.
(2) In cold water (~0°C) produces H2O2 but at room temperature produces O2. In ice-cold mineral acids
also produces H2O2.
~0ºC
Na2O2 + 2H2O   2NaOH + H2O2
25ºC
2Na2O2 + 2H2O  4NaOH + O2
~0ºC
Na2O2 + H2SO4   Na2SO4 + H2O2
25ºC
2Na2O2 + H2SO4  2Na2SO4 + 2H2O + O2
(3) It reacts with CO2, giving sodium carbonate and oxygen and hence its use for purifying air in a confined
space e.g. submarine, ill-ventilated room.
2Na2O2 + 2CO2 — 2Na2CO3 + O2
Na2O2 + CO — Na2CO3
(4) It is an oxidising agent and oxidises charcoal, CO, NH3, SO2.
3Na2O2 + 2C — 2Na2CO3 + 2Na [deposition of metallic Na]
CO + Na2O2 — Na2CO3
SO2 + Na2O2 — Na2SO4
2NH3 + 3Na2O2 — 6NaOH + N2
(5) Sulphides are oxidised to corresponding sulphates
Na2O2 — Na2O + [O] ; Na2S + 4[O] —Na2SO4
(6) Na2O2 — Na2O + [O]; 2Al + 3[O] —Al2O3; Al2O3 + Na2O — 2NaAlO2.
Uses :
(1) For preparing H2O2, O2.
(2) Oxygenating the air in submarines.
(3) Oxidising agent in the laboratory.
Oxides of Potassium K2O K2O2 K2O3* KO2 KO3
Colours White White Red Bright Yellow Orange Red Solid
ADV SBC - 12
s-Block Elements
3. Potassium sesquioxide (need not memorize).
Preparation:
2KNO3 + 10K heating
 6K2O + N2
K2O By heating potassium nitrate with heating
(Potassium oxide) potassium.
K2O  K2O
(White) (Yellow)
K2O + H2O — 2KOH
K2O2 By burning potassium at 300°C in a Controlled
2K + O2   K2O2
(Potassium peroxide) limited supply of air or oxygen. air at 300 º C
Name of compound Name and Brief about the Related chemical reaction
process
Pas O2
(i) Passage of O2 through a blue K in liq. NH3  K2O2 — K2O3 — KO2
solution of K in liquid NH3 yields white red yellow
oxides K2O2 (white), K2O3 (red) 2KO2 + 2H2O ~ 0C
 2KOH + H2O2 + O2
KO2 and KO2 (deep yellow) i.e KO2
(Potassium superoxide) reacts with H2O and produces
H2O2 and O2 both.
(ii) It is prepared by burning K + O2 —KO2
potassium in excess of oxygen
free from moisture.
It is obtained when oxygen is
K2O3 3O 2
passed through liquid ammonia 4K (dissolved in liquid NH3)   2K2O3
(Potassium sesquioxide)
containing potassium.
Name and Brief

Name of compound Related chemical reaction
About the process
10 to1 5C
KO3 KOH + O3 (ozonised oxygen)    KO3
From KOH
(Potassium ozonide) (Dry powdered) (orange solid)
Properties of Potassium superoxide (KO2)

It is a orange coloured (chrome yellow) powder and reacts with water according to following reaction.
2KO2 + 2H2O — 2KOH + H2O2 + O2
It reacts directly with CO and CO2.
2KO2 + CO — K2CO3 + O2 ; 2KO2 + CO2 —K2CO3 + O2
If more CO2, in presence of moisture is present; then
4KO2 + 4CO2 + 2H2O — 4KHCO3 + 3O2
On heating with sulphur, it forms potassium sulphate
2KO2 + S — K2SO4
Uses : It is used as an oxidising agent and air purifier in space capsules, submarine and breathing mask as it
produces O2 and removes CO2.
4. Magnesium Oxide (MgO):

It is also called magnesia and obtained by
Magnesium Oxide (MgO) MgCO3 —MgO + CO2
heating natural magnesite.
Properties :
(1) It is white powder.
(2) It's m.p. is 2850°C. Hence used in manufacture of refractory bricks for furances. And it is acts as basic
flux and facilitates the removal of acidic impurities of Si, P and S from steel through slag formation.
(3) It is very slightly soluble in water imparting alkaline reaction.
ADV SBC - 13
s-Block Elements
5. Calcium Oxide (CaO):
Preparation
It is commonly called as quick lime or lime
Calcium Oxide
and made by decomposing lime stone at a CaCO3 CaO + CO2
(CaO)
high temperature about 1000°C.
* The Carbon dioxide is removed as soon as it is produced to enable the reaction to proceed to completion.
Chemical Properties :
(1) It is white amorphous powder of m.p. 2570°C. On exposure to atmosphere; it absorbs moisture and
carbondioxide.
CaO + H2O — Ca(OH) 2 ; CaO + CO2 — CaCO3
acidic oxide
(2) It emits intense light (lime light), when heated in oxygen-hydrogen flame.
(3) It combines with limited amount of water to produce slaked lime. This process is called slaking of lime.
Quick lime slaked with soda gives solid sodalime (CaO). Being a basic oxide.
CaO + H2O — Ca(OH) 2
(4) Soda lime (basic oxide) combines with some acidic oxides at high temperature.
CaO + SiO2 — CaSiO3
6CaO + P4O10 — 2Ca3(PO4)2
Uses :
(i) It is an important primary material for manufacturing cement and is the cheapest form of alkali.
(ii) It is used in the manufacture of sodium carbonate from caustic soda.
(iii) It is employed in the purification of sugar and in the manufacture of dye stuffs.
Magnesium Peroxide (MgO2) and Calcium Peroxide (CaO2)
These are obtained by passing H2O2 in a suspension of Mg(OH) 2 and Ca(OH) 2.
Uses : MgO2 is used as an antiseptic in tooth paste and as a bleaching agent.
HYDROXIDES
1. Sodium Hydroxides(Caustic Soda) NaOH (White) :
Preparation :
Name of Name and Brief about the
Related chemical reaction
compound process
+ – Hg
Cathode:Na + e  Na-amalgam
– 1 –
Anode : Cl  Cl2 + e
2
2Na-amalgam + 2H2O 2NaOH + 2Hg + H2
(1) Electrolysis of Brine :
Sodium hydroxide is prepared by
the electrolysis of sodium
chloride in Castner-Kellner cell. A
brine solution is electrolysed
using a mercury cathode and a
carbon anode. Sodium metal
Sodium discharged at the cathode
Hydroxides combines with mercury to form
(NaOH) sodium amalgam. Chlorine gas is
evolved at the anode.
The amalgam is treated with
water to give sodium hydroxide
and hydrogen gas.
Anode Cathode
(2) By Diaphragm cell
Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2  2NaOH + CaCO3

(3) Caustication of Na2CO3
(suspension)
(Gossage's method)
Since the Ksp(CaCO3) < Ksp(Ca(OH)2), the reaction shifts towards right.
ADV SBC - 14
s-Block Elements
Properties:
(1) Sodium hydroxide is a white, translucent solid. It melts at 591 K. It is readily soluble in water to give a
strong alkaline solution. Crystals of sodium hydroxide are deliquescent. The sodium hydroxide solution
at the surface reacts with the CO2 in the atmosphere to form Na2CO3.
(2) It is white crystalline, deliquescent, highly corrosive solid.
(3) It is stable towards heat.
(4) It's aqueous solution alkaline in nature and soapy in touch.
(5) NH4Cl + NaOH  NaCl + NH3  + H2O
FeCl3 + 3NaOH  Fe(OH)3  + 3NaCl
Brown ppt
ZnCl2 + 2NaOH  Zn(OH)2 + 2NaCl
Zn(OH)2 + 2NaOH Na2ZnO2 + 2H2O [Same with AlCl3, SnCl2, PbCl2]
soluble
(6) Acidic and amphoteric oxides gets dissolved easily e.g.
CO2 + 2NaOH  Na2CO3 + H2O
Al2O3 + 2NaOH  2NaAlO2 + H2O
(7) Aluminium and Zn metal gives H2 from NaOH.
2Al + 2NaOH + 2H2O  3H2 + 2NaAlO2
(8) Several non metals such as P, S, Cl etc. yield a hydride instead of hydrogen.e.g.
4P + 3NaOH + 3H2O  PH3 + 3NaH2PO2 (Disproportionation reaction)
(9) NaOH is stable towards heat but reduced to metal when heated with carbon.
2NaOH + C  2Na + 2 CO + H2
+2
Na2MO2
(10). NaOH + Metal Oxide (M) +3

Na3MO3
+4
Na2MO3
Above are general reactions of NaOH with metal oxides having metal's Oxidation number +2, +3 & +4
respectively.
Uses : It is used in
(i) The manufacture of soap, paper, artificial silk and a number of chemicals.
(ii) In petroleum refining.
(iii) In the purification of bauxite.
(iv) In the textile industries for mercerising cotton fabrics.
(v) For the preparation of pure fats and oils .
(vi) As a laboratory reagent.
2. Potassium Hydroxide (KOH):
Preparation:
(1) It is prepared by electrolysis of KCl solution.
(2) KOH resembles NaOH in all its reactions. However KOH is much more soluble in alcohol. This
accounts for the use of alcoholic KOH in organic chemistry.
(3) KOH is called caustic potash, because of their corrosive properties (for example on glass or on skin)
and its aqueous solution is known as potash lye.
2KOH + 4NO  2KNO2 + N2O + H2O
4KOH + 6NO  4KNO2 + N2 + 2H2O
(4) It is used for the absorption of gases like CO2, SO2, etc. It is used for making soft soaps.
Properties: Same as NaOH
(1) It is stronger base compared to NaOH.
(2) Solubility in water is more compared to NaOH.
(3) In alcohol, NaOH is sparingly soluble but KOH is highly soluble.
(4) As a reagent KOH is less frequently used but in absorption of CO2, KOH is preferably used compared
to NaOH. Because KHCO3 formed is soluble whereas NaHCO3 is insoluble and may therefore choke
the tubes of apparatus used.
ADV SBC - 15
s-Block Elements
+Na2SO4
Na2PbO2
Na2PbO3
ADV SBC - 16
s-Block Elements
3. Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)2):
It occurs in nature as the mineral brucite.
Preparation:
Name and Brief about the
Name of compound Related chemical reaction
process
It can be prepared by adding MgSO4 + 2NaOH  Mg(OH)2 + Na2SO4
Magnesium
caustic soda solution to a MgCl2 + 2NaOH  Mg(OH)2 + 2NaCl
Hydroxide
solution of Magnesium sulphate MgCl2 + Ca(OH)2  Mg(OH)2 + CaCl2
(Mg(OH)2)
or chloride solution. MgO + H2O  Mg(OH)2
(1) It can be dried at temperature upto 100°C only otherwise it breaks into its oxide at higher temperature.
Mg(OH)2  MgO + H2O
(2) It is slightly soluble in water imparting alkalinity.
(3) It dissolves in NH4Cl solution.
Mg(OH)2 + 2NH4Cl MgCl2 + 2NH3.H2O
Thus, Mg(OH)2 is not therefore precipitated from a solution of Mg2+ ions by NH3.H2O. in presence of
excess of NH4Cl.
Uses : A suspension of Mg(OH)2 in water is used in medicine as an antacid (An antacid is substance which
neutralizes stomach acidity) under the name, milk of magnesia.
4. Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) (White Powder):
Preparation :
Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) By spraying water on quicklime. CaO + H2O  Ca(OH)2
Properties:
(1) It is a white amorphous powder.
(2) It is sparingly soluble in water.
(3) It's solubility in hot water is less than that of cold water. Hence solubility decreases with increase in
temperature.
(4) The aqueous solution is known as lime water and a suspension of slaked lime in water is known as milk
of lime.
(5) When carbon dioxide is passed through lime water it turns milky due to the formation of calcium
carbonate.
Ca(OH)2 + CO2  CaCO3 + H2O
On passing excess of carbon dioxide, the precipitate dissolves to form calcium hydrogen carbonate.
CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O  Ca(HCO3)2
Milk of lime reacts with chlorine to form hypochlorite, a constituent of bleaching powder.
2Ca(OH) 2 + 2Cl2  CaCl2 + Ca(OCl)2 + H2O
Bleaching powder
Uses:
(i) It is used in the preparation of mortar, a building material.
(ii) It is used in white wash due to its disinfectant nature.
(iii) It is used in glass making, in tanning industry, for the preparation of bleaching powder and for
purification of sugar.
Section (F) : Carbonates, Bicarbonates

CARBONATES
1. Sodium Carbonate (Washing soda) Na2CO3.10H2O (White Solid) :
ADV SBC - 17
s-Block Elements
Preparation:
1.
Name of
Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction
compound
mild heating
NaCl + H2SO4(conc.)   NaHSO4 + HCl
Strongly
NaCl + NaHSO4   Na2SO4 + HCl
heated
(1) Leblanc Process
(Salt Cake)
Na2SO4 + 4C  Na2S + 4CO 
Na2S + CaCO3 Na2CO3 + CaS
(2) Solvay Process
Step-1 (In ammonia absorber) 2NH3 + CO2 + H2O  (NH4)2CO3
(i)Saturation of brine with ammonia and CO2 CaCl2 + (NH4)2CO3  CaCO3 + 2NH4Cl
(ii) Ammoniated brine is filtered to remove MgCl2 + (NH4)2CO3  MgCO3 + 2NH4Cl
calcium and magnesium impurities as their
Sodium insoluble carbonates.
Carbonate Step-2 (In carbonation tower) :
(Washing soda) (i) Formation of insoluble NaHCO3
Na2CO3.10H2O (ii) Reaction is exothermic and hence there is a
cooling arrangement. NH3 + CO2 + H2O  NH4HCO3 ;
(iii) NaHCO3 is insoluble in 30 º C
cold brine solution because NH4HCO3 + NaCl  NaHCO3 + NH4Cl
of the common ion effect. It is separated by
filtration and the filtered is used for recovering
NH3 & CO2.
150 º C
Step-3 (Calcination to get sodium carbonate) : 2 NaHCO3  Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
 / Steam
Step - 4 (In recovery tower) : NH4 HCO3   NH2 + CO2 + H2O
Recovery of ammonia and carbondioxide.  / Steam
2NH4 Cl +Ca(OH)2   2NH3+ 2H2O+CaCl2
CaCl2 is obtained as by product.
* advantage is taken of low solubility of NaHCO3, it gets precipitated in the reaction of NaCl + NH4HCO3.
2. Naturally from trona
heat
2(Na2CO3.NaHCO3.2H2O)   3Na2CO3 + CO2 + 5H2O
Properties
(1) Anhydrous Na2CO3 is called as soda ash, which does not decompose on heating but melts at 852°C.
(2) Sodium carbonate is a white crystalline solid which exists as a decahydrate, Na2CO3·10H2O. This is
also called washing soda. It is readily soluble in water. On heating, the decahydrate loses its water of
crystallisation to form monohydrate. Above 373K, the monohydrate becomes completely anhydrous and
changes to a white powder called soda ash.
375K
Na2CO3·10H2O   Na2CO3·H2O + 9H2O
 373 K
Na2CO3·H2O   Na2CO3 + H2O

(soda ash)
Carbonate part of sodium carbonate gets hydrolysed by water to form an alkaline solution.
Na2CO3 + H2O  H2CO3 (weak acid) + NaOH (strong)
(3) Na2CO3 absorbs CO2 yielding sparingly soluble sodium bicarbonate which can be calcined at 250° to
get pure sodium carbonate.
Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2 2NaHCO3 (solid)
(4) It dissolved in acid with effervescence of CO2 and causticised by lime to give caustic soda.
Na2CO3 + HCl  2NaCl + H2O + CO2
Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2  2NaOH + CaCO3
Uses :
(i) It is used in water softening, laundering and cleaning.
(ii) It is used in the manufacture of glass, soap, borax and caustic soda.
(iii) It is used in paper, paints and textile industries.
(iv) It is an important laboratory reagent both in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
ADV SBC - 18
s-Block Elements
2. Potassium Carbonate (K2CO3)
mild heating
KCl + H2SO4 (conc.)   KHSO4 + HCl
By leblance process, it can be
Potassium KCl + KHSO4  
Strongly
 K2SO4 + HCl
prepared but by solvay process it
Carbonate heated
cannot be prepared because KHCO3
(K2CO3) K2SO4 + 4C  K2S + 4CO 
is soluble in water.
K2S + CaCO3 K2CO3 + CaS
Properties:
It resembles with Na2CO3, m.p. is 900°C but a mixture of Na2CO3 and K2CO3 melts at 712°C.
Uses It is used in glass manufacturing.
* need not memories.
Note : Calcium carbonate and Magnesium carbonate found in nature.
Calcium bicarbonate and Magnesium bicarbonate are present in temporary hardness of water.
Unstable and unimportant. Same for KHCO3.
Section (G) : Chlorides, Sulphates

CHLORIDES
Sodium Chloride (NaCl) and Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride
Preparation:
NaCl : Found in nature as rock salt or in sea water.
KCl : Found in nature as sylvine (KCl) or carnallite (2KCl.MgCl2.6H2O)
CaCl2 : Obtained as byproduct in Solvay’s process.
Properties of NaCl :
(1) It is nonhygroscopic but the presence of MgCl2 in common salt renders it hygroscopic.
(2) It is used to prepare freezing mixture in laboratory [Ice-common salt mixture is called freezing mixture
and temperature goes down to –23°C.]
(3) For melting ice and snow on road.
Uses of NaCl:
(i) It is used as a common salt or table salt for domestic purpose.
(ii) It is used for the preparation of Na2O2, NaOH and Na2CO3.
Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2)
It occurs in nature as mineral carnallite, KCl.MgCl2.6H2O.
Preparation : By Dow’s Processes (Natural Brine process and Dolomite process). See Metallurgy,
stdXII.
Properties:
(1) It crystallises as hexahydrate. MgCl2. 6H2O
(2) It is deliquescent solid.
(3) This hydrate undergoes hydrolysis as follows:
MgCl2·6H2O  Mg(OH)Cl + HCl + 5H2O
Mg(OH)Cl  MgO + HCl
Hence, Anh. MgCl2 cannot be prepared by heating this hydrate. Because of this formation of HCl. Sea
water cannot be used in marine boilers which corrodes the iron body.
(4) Anhydrous MgCl2 can be prepared by heating a double salt like. MgCl2.NH4Cl.6H2O as follows:
– H2O strong
MgCl2 . NH4Cl . 6H2O   MgCl2. NH4Cl   MgCl2 + NH3 + HCl
 
(5) It is a colourless crystalline solid, highly deliquescent and highly soluble in water.
(6) Sorel Cement is a mixture of MgO and MgCl2 (paste like) which set to hard mass on standing. This is
used in dental filling, flooring etc.
(7) Anh. CaCl2 is used in drying gases and organic compounds but not NH3 or alcohol due to the formation
of CaCl2.8NH3 and CaCl2.4C2H5OH.
ADV SBC - 19
s-Block Elements
SULPHATES
1. Potassium Sulphate (K2SO4)
It occurs in stassfurt potash beds as schonite K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O and Kainite, KCl.MgSO4.3H2O from
which it is obtained by solution in water and crystallisation. It separates from the solution as anh,
crystals whereas Na2SO4 comes as decahydrate.
Preparation:
(1) It is prepared by the reaction of potassium chloride or hydroxide with concentrated. H 2SO4.
2KCl + H2SO4  K2SO4 + 2HCl ; 2KOH + H2SO4  K2SO4 + 2H2O
(2) K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O + 2KCl  2K2SO4 + MgCl2+ 6H2O
Uses : It is used to prepare alum.
It is a white crystalline solid and soluble in water.
It is used as a fertilizer for tobacco and wheat.
D
KCl + H2 SO4
Reactions Charts
2. Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4):
It occurs in nature as minerals kiesserite (MgSO4.H2O), epsom salt (MgSO4.7H2O) and kainite
(KCl.MgSO4.3H2O).
Preparation:
(1) It is obtained by dissolving kieserite. MgSO4.H2O in boiling water and then crystallising the solution as a
hepta hydrate. i.e. MgSO4.7H2O. It is called as Epsom salt.
(2) It is also obtained by dissolving magnesite in hot dil. H 2SO4.
MgCO3 + H2SO4  MgSO4 + H2O + CO2
(3) By dissolving dolomite (CaCO3.MgCO3) in hot dil. H2SO4 and removing the insoluble CaSO4 by
filtration.
CaCO3.MgCO3 (dolomite) + 2H2SO4  MgSO4 + CaSO4 + 2CO2 + 2H2O
(4) It is isomorphous with FeSO4.7H2O, ZnSO4.7H2O.
ADV SBC - 20
s-Block Elements
Heating effect:
(1) When heated to 150°C, it changes to monohydrate. On further heating, it becomes anhydrous at
200°C. On strong heating, it decomposes into MgO.
strong
MgSO4.7H2O
150C
 MgSO4.H2O
200C
 MgSO4  MgO + SO2 + O2.
heating
(2) Magnesium sulphate when heated with lamp black at 800°C produces SO2 and CO2 gases.
2MgSO4 + C  2MgO + 2SO2 + CO2
(3) It forms double salts with alkali metal sulphates, e.g., K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O.
3. Calcium Sulphate (Plaster of paris) CaSO4.½ H2O
It occurs as anhydrite CaSO4, hemihydrate CaSO4.½H2O and as the dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O) gypsum,
alabaster or satin-spar.
Preparation:
(1) It is a hemihydrate of calcium sulphate. It is obtained when gypsum, CaSO 4·2H2O, is heated to 393 K.
2(CaSO4.2H2O)   2(CaSO4).H2O + 3H2O
393 K
Above 393 K, no water of crystallisation is left and anhydrous calcium sulphate, CaSO4 is formed. This
is known as ‘dead burnt plaster’.
It has a remarkable property of setting with water. On mixing with an adequate quantity of water it forms
a plastic mass that gets into a hard solid in 5 to 15 minutes.
(2) It can be prepared by reacting any calcium salt with either sulphuric acid or a soluble sulphate.
CaCl2 + H2SO4  CaSO4 + 2HCl ; CaCl2 + Na2SO4  CaSO4 + 2NaCl
Properties:
It is a white crystalline solid. It is sparingly soluble in water and solubility decreases as temperature
increases.
It dissolves in dilute acids. It also dissolves in ammonium sulphate due to the formation of double
sulphate, (NH4)2SO4.CaSO4.H2O.
The setting process is exothermic. The process of setting takes place in stages. In the first stage, there
is conversion of Plaster of Pairs into orthorhombic form of gypsum (setting step) and in the second
stage orthorhombic form changes into monoclinic form (hardening step).
The setting of Plaster of Paris may be catalysed by sodium chloride while it is retarded by borax or
alum. Addition of alum to Plaster of Paris makes the setting very hard. The mixture is known as
Keene’s cement.
Dead plaster has no setting property as it takes up water only very slowly.
A suspension of gypsum when saturated with ammonia and carbon dioxide forms ammonium sulphate,
a nitrogenous fertilizer.
2NH3 + CaSO4 + CO2 + H2O  (NH4)2 SO4 + CaCO3
When strongly heated with carbon, it forms calcium sulphide.
CaSO4 + 4C CaS + 4CO
Uses: For preparing blackboard chalk.
In anhydrous form as drying agent.
ADV SBC - 21
s-Block Elements
Fertilizer
1. Cynamide: It is an organic compound with the formula CN2H2. This white solid is widely used in
agriculture and the production of pharmaceuticals and other organic compounds.
Cyanamide is produced by hydrolysis of calcium cyanamide, which in turn is prepared from calcium
carbide via the frank-Caro process.
CaC2 + N2  CaCN2 + C ; frank-Caro process
CaCN2 + H2O + CO2  CaCO3 + H2NCN (Cynamide)
The main reaction exhibited by cyanamide involves additions of compounds containing an acidic
proton. Water, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrogen selenide react with cyanmide to give urea, thiourea, and
selenourea, respectively :
H2NCN + H2E H2NC (E) NH2 ; (E= O, S, Se)
2. Fluorapatite: It is a phosphate mineral with the formula Ca5 (PO4)3.
Cement
Cement is a product obtained by combining a material rich in lime, CaO with other material such as clay
which contains silica, SiO2 along with the oxides of aluminium, iron and magnesium.
The raw materials for the manufacture of cement are limestone and clay. When clay and lime are
strongly heated together they fuse and react to form cement clinker. This clinker is mixed with 2-3% by
weight of gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) to form cement. Thus important ingredients present in Portland
cement are dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4) 26%, tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO=5) 51% and tricalcium
aluminate (Ca3Al2O6) 11%.
Setting of cement : When mixed with water, the setting of cement takes place to give a hard mass.
This is due to the hydration of the molecules of the constituents and their rearrangement. The purpose
of adding gypsum is only to slow down the process of setting of the cement so that it gets sufficiently
hardened.
Uses : Cement has become a commodity of national necessity for any country next to iron and steel. It
is used in concrete and reinforced concrete, in plastering and in the construction of bridges, dams and
buildings.
Common Names
The names marked with asterisk (*) should be memorized with formulae. Others are given only for
reference. You need not memorize them.
Metal Ore name Formula
Lithium (Li) Spodumene LiAl(SiO3)2
Lepidolite KLi2Al(Al,Si)3O10(F,OH)2
Petalite LiAl(Si2O5)2
Sodium (Na) *Washing soda Na2CO3.10H2O
*Baking soda NaHCO3
*Sodium carbonate
Na2CO3
(soda ash/ washing soda)
*Sodium chloride
NaCl
(rock salt or halite)
*Sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter) NaNO3
Salt cake Na2SO4
Fusion mixture Na2CO3 + K2CO3 (eq. molar mix.)
Sodium sesquicarbonate (trona) Na2CO3.NaHCO3.2H2O ( it is a double salt )
Na(NH4)HPO4.4H2O (it is obtained by mixing
*Microcosmic salt solutions of sodium phosphate and ammonium
phosphate or chloride)
Soda feldspar or sodium feldspar
Na2O. Al2O3. 6SiO2
(albite)
Potash feldspars or orthoclase or
K2O. Al2O3.6SiO2
microcline or Potassium feldspars
*Hypo Na2S2O3.5H2O
*Sodium aluminium fluoride
Na3AlF6
(cryolite)
*Borax (Tincal) Na2B4O7.10H2O
ADV SBC - 22
s-Block Elements
Na2SO4.10H2O
(Sodium sulfate is the sodium salt of sulfuric
acid. When anhydrous, it is a white crystalline
*Sodium sulphate (glauber’s salt)
solid of formula Na2SO4 known as the mineral
thenardite; the decahydrate Na2SO4·10H2O is
known as Glauber's salt)
Sodium aluminium silicate
NaAlSi3O8
(Soda Feldspar)
Potassium (K) Sylvite KCl
Schonite K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O
Kainite MgSO4.KCl.3H2O
*Carnallite MgCl2.KCl.6H2O
KNO3 (used especially as a fertilizer and
*Indian saltpetre (Nitre)
explosive)
Pearl ash K2CO3
Schonite K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O( it is a double salt)
Langbeinite K2SO4.2MgSO4
Polyhalite K2SO4.MgSO4.2CaSO4.2H2O
*Potassium Alum K2SO4. Al2 (SO4)3. 24H2O
Alunite or Alumstone K2SO4. Al2 (SO4)3. 4Al(OH)3
Mica K2O. 3Al2O3. 6SiO2.2H2O
Feldspar KAlSi3O8(K2O.Al2O3.6SiO2)
Beryllium (Be) Beryl 3BeO. Al2O3 6SiO2
Chrysoberyl BeO.Al2O3
Phenacite BeSiO4
Bromalite BeO
*Baryta Ba(OH)2
Magnesium
*Magnesite MgCO3
(Mg)
*Dolomite MgCO3.CaCO3
*Epsom salt MgSO4.7H2O
Kieserite MgSO4.H2O
Asbestos CaMg3 (SiO3)4
Talc Mg(Si2O5)2 Mg (OH)2
Brucite Mg(OH)2
*Magnesia MgO
Artinite MgCO3.Mg(OH)2 .3H2O
*Sorel cement (magnesia cement) Mg4Cl2(OH)6(H2O)8
Calcium (Ca) *Quick lime CaO
*Slaked lime Ca(OH)2
*Hydrolith CaH2
*Calcium cynamide CaCN2 OR CaNCN
*Limestone (Marble / Whiting) CaCO3
Anhydrite CaSO4
*Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O
*Fluorspar or Fluorite CaF2
Phosphorite Ca3 (PO4)2
*Fluorapatite 3Ca3 (PO4)2.CaF2 OR Ca5(PO4)3F
*Plaster of paris CaSO2.½H2O
*Bleaching powder CaOCl2
*Rock phosphate Ca3 (PO4) 2
Wollastonite CaSiO2
Colmanite 2CaO.3Ba2O3.5H2O
Strontium(Sr) Strontianite SrCO3
Celestite SrSO4
Barytes or Heavy spar BaSO4
ADV SBC - 23
s-Block Elements
Periodic Properties of s-Block
Properties Order
Thermal stability LiH > NaH > KH > RbH > CsH
Basic strength BeO < MgO < CaO < SrO
Basic Strength or Solubility in water or thermal
LiOH < NaOH < KOH < RbOH < CsOH
stability
Basic Strength or Solubility in water Be(OH)2<Mg(OH)2<Ca(OH)2<Ba(OH)2
Thermal stability Be(OH)2<Mg(OH)2<Ca(OH)2<Sr(OH)2< Ba(OH)2
Solubility in water or thermal stability Li2CO3 < Na2CO3 < K2CO3 < Rb2CO3 < Cs2CO3
Solubility in water BaCO3 < CaCO3 < MgCO3 < BeCO3
Thermal stability BeCO3 < MgCO3 < CaCO3 < BaCO3
Solubility in water BaSO4 < SrSO4 < CaSO4 < MgSO4 < BeSO4
ADV SBC - 24
s-Block Elements
 Marked Questions may have for Revision Questions.
PART - I : SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

A-1. Why do alkali metals form unipositive ions and impart characteristic colours to flame?
Section (B) : Based on Periodic trends
B-1. (a) Explain why is sodium less reactive than potassium?
(b) E1 value of Mg is more than that of Na while it’s E2 value is less. Explain ?
B-2. Comment on the order of mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution :
+ + + + +
Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs .
Section (C) : Based on Chemical Bonding
C-1. Why is KO2 paramagnetic ?
C-2. Draw the structure of BeCl2 in solid and vapour state.
C-3. Explain why in anion of Na2CO3 all bond lengths are equal ?
C-4. Order of the ionic character of following :
MgCl2, MgBr2, MgI2
C-5. Why LiNO3 on heating shows exceptional behaviour than other elements of this group ?
C-6. Write the order of thermal stability of following :
BeSO4 , MgSO4 , CaSO4 , SrSO4
C-7. Write the increasing order of basic strength of following :
NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH
C-8. Although Ionisation potential of Li is very high, then why is it a good reducing agent ?
Section (D) : Properties of elements

D-1. Alkali metals are soft and can be cut with the help of a knife. Explain.
D-2. We know air mostly contains (O2, N2), What happen when group-I and group-II elements of s-block
react with exess of air ?
Group-I + O2 + N2 Group-II + O2 + N2
Elements (Major (product) Elements (Major (product)
product) product)
Li …………. ………. Be ……………. …………….
Na ……..…. ………. Mg ……………. …………….
K ……….. ………. Ca ……………. …………….
Rb ……….. ………. Sr ……………. …………….
Cs ………… ………. Ba ……………. …………….
D-3. What happens when sodium and calcium metal are dropped in water ?
(a) Na + H2O  (b) Ca + H2O 
D-4._ (i) M + H2SO4  ............ + .............. (where M = group-I elements)

(ii) M + HCl  ............ + .............. (where M = group-II elements)
D-5. What happen when sodium metal is dissolved in liquid ammonia?

E-1. Lithium forms monoxide, sodium gives peroxide while the rest of the alkali metals form superoxide
mainly when treated with excess of air. Explain.
Corporate Office : CG Tower, A-46 & 52, IPIA, Near City Mall, Jhalawar Road, Kota (Raj.) – 324005
ADVSBC - 25
s-Block Elements
E-2. How NaOH is commercialy prepared ? Which cell is used ?
E-3. Write the method of perparation of Na2O2 & KO2 and also give their hydrolysis product ?
E-4. (a) NaOH + HNO3  (b) Li2O + H2SO4 
25ºC
(c) Na2O2 + H2SO4(dilute)  (d) CaO + HCl 
E-5. Ca(OH)2 (excess) + H3PO4 
E-6. NaOH + Al2O3 
+cold & dil. NaOH
Products
E-7._ Cl2
+hot & conc. NaOH
Products
E-8. P4 (white) + NaOH + H2O 

F-1. The thermal stability order of following carbonates :
BeCO3, MgCO3, CaCO3, SrCO3, BaCO3
F-2._ Write chemical changes of solvay process.
F-3. Na2CO3 + HCl (dil.) 

F-4. Write the products of the following reactions :
(a) NaHCO3 + H2SO4  (b) Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2 

(c) NaHCO3 + NaOH  (d) 2NaHCO3  
Boil
room temperature
(e) NaHCO3 + CaCl2 

G-1._ Decreasing order of solubility in water of following sulphates :
BeSO4 , MgSO4, CaSO4 , SrSO4
G-2. How is CaCl2 prepared ?
120ºC, 
G-3. CaSO4.2H2O  
G-4. How would you explain ?

(i) BeO is insoluble but BeSO4 is soluble in water.
(ii) BaO is soluble but BaSO4 is insoluble in water.
G-5. NaOCl + HOH 


G-6. CaCl2 + H2SO4 (conc.)  
Section (H) : Miscellaneous (Hydrides, Carbides, Nitrates)

H-1. Write the thermal stability order of following :
LiH, NaH, KH, RbH, CsH
H-2. Write the products of the following reactions :
(a) CaC2 + H2O 
(b) Mg2C3 + H2O 
ADVSBC - 26
s-Block Elements
H-3. (i) What happens when metal nitrate of s-block group-I (except Li) are heated ?
500ºC, 
2MNO3   ............ + ...........
(ii) What happens when any metal nitrate of s-block group-II is heated ?

M(NO3)2   ............ + ...........+..........
H-4. (a) Li3N + H2O  (b) NaNH2 + H2O 
PART - II : ONLY ONE OPTION CORRECT TYPE

A-1. A chloride dissolves appreciably in cold water. When placed on a platinum wire in Bunsen flame, no
distinctive colour is noticed. The cation of chloride is :
(A) Mg2+ (B) Ba2+ (C) Li+ (D) Ca2+
A-2. A fire work gave bright crimson red light. It probably contained a salt of :
(A) Ca (B) Sr (C) Ba (D) Mg
Section (B) : Based on Periodic trends

B-1. Be has, as compared to Mg :
(A) less electronegativity (B) more ionisation potential
(C) larger atomic radius (D) lower melting point
B-2. The first ionisation energies of alkaline earth metal are higher than those of the alkali metals. This is
because :
(A) there is increase in the nuclear charge of the alkaline earth metal
(B) there is decrease in the nuclear charge of the alkaline earth metal
(C) there is no change in the nuclear charge
(D) none of these
Section (C) : Based on Chemical Bonding

C-1. Among LiCl, RbCl, BeCl2 and MgCl2 the compound with greatest and least ionic character respectively
are :
(A) LiCl, RbCl (B) RbCl, BeCl2 (C) RbCl, MgCl2 (D) MgCl2, BeCl2
C-2. Which of the following carbonate of alkalimetal have highest thermal stability ?
(A) Li2CO3 (B) Na2CO3 (C) K2CO3 (D) Rb2CO3
C-3. Which of the following hydroxide of alkali metal have highest thermal stability ?
(A) LiOH (B) NaOH (C) RbOH (D) CsOH
C-4. Which of the following is the strongest base ?
(A) Ca(OH)2 (B) Sr(OH)2 (C) Ba(OH)2 (D) Mg(OH)2
C-5._ Which is amphoteric ?

(A) Li2O (B) BeO (C) BaO (D) Cs2O
C-6._ Alkali metals are :
(A) good reductant (B) good oxidant (C) Both of these (D) None of these
Section (D) : Properties of elements
D-1. The metallic lustre exhibited by sodium is explained by :
(A) diffusion of sodium ions (B) oscillation of mobile valence electrons
(C) existence of free protons (D) existence of body centered cubic lattice
D-2. Which of the following will appears silvery white ?
(A) Li (B) K (C) Na (D) All
D-3. Which of the following s-block metal does not react with water ?
(A) K (B) Na (C) Ca (D) Be
ADVSBC - 27
s-Block Elements
D-4. Which of the following option is correct for given reaction ?
M + H2SO4 
(A) It reacts vigrously with acid if M is alkali metal.
(B) It reacts readily with acid if M is alkaline earth metal.
(C) metal sulphate and hydrogen gas will form after reaction.
(D) All are correct.
D-5. Be reacts with excess of caustic soda to form :
(A) Be(OH)2 (B) BeO (C) Na2[Be(OH)4] (D) Be(OH)2.BeCO3

E-1. What is [X] in the following reaction ?

MgCl2.6H2O   [X] + HCl + H2O
(A) MgO (B) Mg (C) Mg(OH)2 (D) Mg(OH)Cl.
E-2. When magnesium burns in air, compounds of magnesium formed are magnesium oxide and :
(A) Mg3N2 (B) MgCO3 (C) Mg(NO3)2 (D) Mg(NO2)2
E-3. Which product will be formed after the reaction
10C to 15C
KOH + O3(Ozonised oxygen)   Product (Orange solid)
(Dry powder)
(A) KO2 (B) KO3 (C) K2O3 (D) K2O
E-4. Peroxide ion is present in :
(A) KO2 (B) CaO (C) Li2O (D) BaO2
E-5. The compound that gives hydrogen peroxide on treatment with a dilute cold acid is :
(A) PbO2 (B) Na2O2 (C) MnO2 (D) SnO2
E-6. Products of following reaction :
NaOH + ZnO 
(A) Na2O, Zn(OH)2 (B) Na2ZnO2, H2O (C) Na2O2 , Zn(OH)2 (D) None of these
E-7. The principal products obtained on heating iodine with concentrated caustic soda solution is :
(A) NaIO + NaI (B) NaIO + NaIO3 (C) NaIO3 + NaI (D) NaIO4 + NaI
E-8. Products of the following reaction are :
NaOH + S 
(A) Na2S, Na2S2O3 , H2O (B) Na2SO4, H2O (C) Na2O2, Na2SO4 (D) H2S , Na2SO4

F-1. Which of the following can not decompose on heating to give CO2 in a dry test tube ?
(A) Li2CO3 (B) Na2CO3 (C) KHCO3 (D) BeCO3
heat
F-2. 2(Na2CO3. NaHCO3 . 2H2O)   Products.
Which of the following is not product of this reaction?
(A) Na2CO3 (B) CO2 (C) H2O (D) Na2O
F-3._ Sodium carbonate can be manufactured by Solvay’s process but potassium carbonate cannot be
prepared because:
(A) K2CO3 is more soluble (B) K2CO3 is less soluble
(C) KHCO3 is more soluble than NaHCO3 (D) KHCO3 is less soluble than NaHCO3
F-4. CaCO3 + HNO3  Products :

(A) Ca(NO3)2, H2O, CO2 (B) Ca(NO3)2, H2CO3
(C) Ca3N2, CO2, H2O (D) None of these
ADVSBC - 28
s-Block Elements
F-5. CO2 + NaOH Na2CO3 + H2O
This reaction shows following nature of CO2
(A) Acidic (B) basic (C) Neutral (D) Amphoteric
F-6. When SO2 gas in excess is passed into an aqueous solution of Na2CO3, product formed is :
(A) NaHSO4 (B) Na2SO4 (C) NaHSO3 (D) All
G-1. Which of the following sulphate have highest thermal stability
(A) Li2SO4 (B) Na2SO4 (C) K2SO4 (D) CsSO4
G.2_ What product will be obtained when magnesite (MgCO3) dissolve in hot dil. H2SO4 ?
(A) MgSO4, H2O, CO2 (B) MgS, H2O, CO2
(C) MgSO4, H2CO3 (D) MgS, H2CO3
G-3. CaSO4 can be prepared by reaction of any calcium salt with ?
(A) Sulphuric acid (B) Soluble sulphate (C) Both (A) and (B) (D) None of these
G-4. Aqueous solution of NaCl is :
(A) Acidic (B) Basic (C) Neutral (D) None of these
G-5. Aqueous solution of BeCl2 is:
(A) Acidic (B) Basic (C) Neutral (D) None of these
Section (H) : Miscellaneous (Hydrides, Carbides, Nitrates)
H-1. Which of the following is least stable
(A) BeH2 (B) MgH2 (C) CaH2 (D) BaH2
 H2O
H-2. Ca + H2  [X]   [Y] + [Z]
Total number of atom in one molecule or formula unit of [Y] & [Z] is ?
(A) 7 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 5
H-3. Be2C + H2O  Be(OH)2 + [X] ; "X" is :

(A) C2H2 (B) CH3–CCH (C) C2H6 (D) CH4
H-4. At high temperature, nitrogen combines with CaC2 to give :

(A) calcium cyanide (B) calcium cyanamide
(C) Calcium carbonate (D) calcium nitride
H-5. Compounds of alkaline earth metals are less soluble in water than the corresponding alkali metal salts
due to :
(A) their high ionisation energy (B) their low electronegativity
(C) their low hydration energy (D) their high lattice energy
H-6. Bleaching powder turns Red litmus to blue and finally white, it is due to :
(A) OH– (B) HCl (C) OCl– (D) Cl–
PART - III : MATCH THE COLUMN

1. Match the reactions listed in column-I with the characteristic(s) of the products listed in column-II.
Column – I Column – II

(A) Na2O2   (p) One of the products is diamagnetic.
(i) S 
(B) KO2 
 (q) One of the products acts as reducing agent.
(ii) C 
800ºC
(C) NaNO3   (r) One of the products acts as oxidising agent.

(D) Ba(NO3)2 

 (s) One of the products is a basic oxide.
500 C
ADVSBC - 29
s-Block Elements
2. Match the compounds listed in column-I with the characteristic(s) listed in column-II.
Column-I Column-II
(A) BeO (s) (p) Amphoteric in nature
(B) NaHCO3 (crystalline) (q) Imparts characteristic colour to Bunsen flame.
(C) BeCl2(s) (r) Produce H2O2 and O2 on reaction with water.
(D) CsO2(s) (s) Show hydrogen bonding
(t) Has a chain structure

PART - I : ONLY ONE OPTION CORRECT TYPE
1. The element having electronic configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 will form :
(A) Acidic oxide (B) Basic oxide (C) Amphoteric oxide (D) Netural oxide
2. Beryllium has less negative value of reduction potentials compared to other alkaline earth metals due
to:
2+
(A) the smaller hydration energy of the Be .
(B) the large value of the atomization enthalpy of the Be metal.
(C) the large value of ionisation energy of the Be metal.
(D) (B) and (C) both.
3. The incorrect statement is :
(A) Be2+ cation has largest hydration enthalpy among the alkaline earth metals.
(B) The second ionisation enthalpies of alkalilne earth metals are smaller than those of the
corresponding alkali metals.
(C) Li is the strongest reducing agent among all the elements.
(D) Both LiCl and MgCl2 are most covalent in their groups.
4. Select the correct statement with respect to alkali metals.

(A) Melting point decrease with increasing atomic number.
(B) Potassium is lighter than sodium.
(C) Salts of Li to Cs impart characteristic colour to an oxidising flame (of Bunsen burner).
(D) All of these.
5. On dissolving moderate amount of sodium metal in liquid NH3 at low temperature, which one of the
folloiwng does not occur ?
(A) Blue coloured solution is obtained
(B) Na+ ions are formed in the solution
(C) Liquid NH3 becomes good conductor of electricity
(D) Liquid NH3 remains diamagnetic.
6. The incorrect statement is :
(A) KOH can be used as an absorbent of carbondioxide.
(B) Liquid Na metal is used as a coolant in fast breeder nuclear reactors.
(C) All alkali metal gives flame test.
(D) Lithium is the weakest reducing agent among alkali metals.
7. Consider the following statements ;
S1 : Alkali metals are never found in free state in nature.
S2 : The melting and boiling points of alkali metals are high.
S3 : The ceasium and potassium both are used as electrodes in photoelectric cells.
S4 : Alkali metals are normally kept in kerosene oil.
and arrange in the order of true/false.
(A) T T F F (B) T F T T (C) F F F T (D) T T F T
ADVSBC - 30
s-Block Elements
8. The incorrect statement is :
(A) The alkaline earth metals readily reacts with acids liberating dihydrogen.
(B) Lithium is the only alkali metal to form a nitride directly by heating with N2 gas.
(C) Calcium cannot be prepared by electrolysis of its aqueous salt solution.
(D) The mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution are Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+.
9. Which of the following reacts with H2O at room temperature?
(A) Be (B) Li (C) Mg (D) All of these
10. Which of the following fails to react significantly with air at room temperature?
(A) Be (B) Li (C) Ba (D) All of these
11. The pair of amphoteric hydroxides is :
(A) Be(OH)2, Al(OH)3 (B) Al(OH)3, LiOH (C) B(OH)3, Be(OH)2 (D) Be(OH)2, Mg(OH)2
12. Na2[Be(OH)4] is formed when ;
(A) BeO reacts with NaOH solution. (B) Be(OH)2 reacts with NaOH solution.
(C) both (A) and (B) are correct. (D) none of the above is correct.
13. Drying agent which react with CO2 and removes water vapours from ammonia is :
(A) CaO (B) CaCl2 (C) CaCO3 (D) Ca(NO3)2
14. Brine solution on electrolysis will not give :
(A) NaOH (B) Cl2 (C) H2 (D) CO2
15. Chemical (A) is used for water softening to remove temporary hardness. A reacts with Na2 CO3 to
generate caustic soda. When CO2 is bubled through (A), it turns cloudy (i.e. milky). What is the
chemical formula of (A) ?
(A) CaCO3 (B) CaO (C) Ca(OH)2 (D) Ca(HCO3)2
16. (X) reacts with sulphur dioxide in aqueous medium to give NaHSO3, (X) is :
(A) Na2CO3 (B) NaNO3 (C) Na2S2O3 (D) NaHSO4
17. In Solvay process of manufacture of Na2CO3 , the by products obtained from recovery tower are :
(A) NH4Cl, CaO, CO2 (B) CaO, Na2CO3, CaCl2
(C) CaCl2 , CO2 , NH3 (D) Na2CO3 , CaCl2 , CO2
18. A colourless solid (X) on heating evolved CO2 and also gave a white residue, soluble in water. Residue
also gave CO2 when treated with dilute acid. (X) is :
(A) K2CO3 (B) CaCO3 (C) KHCO3 (D) Na2CO3
19. Crude common salt becomes damp on keeping in air because :
(A) It is hygroscopic in nature.
(B) It contains MgCl2 and CaCl2 as impurities which are deliquescent in nature.
(C) (A) and (B) both.
(D) none.
(p) (q)  393 K
20. CaCl2 + H2SO4   CaSO4.2H2O   (r)   (s)
–HCl
Which of the following option describes, the products, reactants and the reaction conditions.
Option (p) (q) (.r) (s)
(A) Crystallisation Heat at 393 K 2 CaSO4.H2O CaSO4
Heat at 393 K
(B) Crystallisation 2 CaSO4.H2O CaSO4
at high pressure
(C) Higher temperature Cool CaSO4.H2O CaSO4
(D) Higher pressure Heat at 393 K CaSO4 CaSO3
21. Setting of plaster of paris involves :

(A) the oxidation with atmoshperic oxygen.
(B) the removal of water to form anhydrous calcium sulphate.
(C) the hydration to form the orthorhombic form of gypsum.
(D) the reaction with atmospheric carbondioxide gas.
ADVSBC - 31
s-Block Elements
22. Calcium cyanamide on reaction with steam under pressure gives ammonia and ------------- .
(A) calcium carbonate (B) calcium hydroxide (C) calcium oxide (D) calcium bicarbonate
PART - II : SINGLE AND DOUBLE VALUE INTEGER TYPE

1. How many of the following are correctly matched ?
Element Colour in flame test
K Violet/Lilac
Na Yellow
Be Crimson red
Ca Brick red
Sr Apple green
Mg No colour
Rb Red violet
Cs Blue
Li Crimson red
2. How many of the following form polymeric chains?
BeCl2, AlCl3, NaHCO3, Li2CO3, BeH2, Na2CO3
3. For alkali metal M :

M2O + H2O  x
M2O2 + H2O  x + y
MO3 + H2O  x + y + z
Sum of the number of atoms present in one molecule each of x, y, z.

4. NaOH + PbO   x + H2O

NaOH + SnO2   y + H2O

NaOH + H2O + Al   z + H2
Sum of the number of atoms present in one molecule each of x, y, z is........... (Assume no complex
formation)
5. How many of the following will turn moist red litmus blue and finally white?
Li2O, KO3, RbO2, Cs2O2, BeO, MgO, BaO2, SrO
6. The by product of solvay process reacts with Na2CO3 to form a compound x, which on heating
decomposes to give y. y is absorbed by KO2. The number of atoms per molecule of y is ...........
7._ How many of the following statement is/are correct?

(a) Solvay process is used for manufacturing sodium carbonate.
(b) CaCl2 is obtained as by product in Solvay process.
(c) NH3 can be recovered in above process.
(d) MgSO4.7H2O is epsom salt.
(e) On hydrolysis of Na2CO3, we get an acidic solution due to the formation of H2CO3.
(f) K2CO3 can also be prepared by Solvay process.
(g) CaCO3 can be obtained by passing excess of CO2 through lime water.
8. A + B + H2O  (NH4)HCO3

NH4HCO3 + NaCl  C + NH4Cl
NH4Cl + D  2NH3 + 2H2O + CaCl2
Sum of the atoms present in one molecule each of A, B, C and D.
9. Molecular formula of Glauber’s salt is Na2SO4.xH2O. The value of x is_____.
10. When gypsum is heated at 393 K, the compund formed is CaSO4.xH2O. Value of 6x is.........
ADVSBC - 32
s-Block Elements
PART - III : ONE OR MORE THAN ONE OPTIONS CORRECT TYPE
1. Which is/are not correct configuration of s–block elements :
10 2 10 1 2 1
(A) [Ar] 3d 4s (B) [Ar] 3d 4s (C) [Ar]) 4s (D) [Ar] 4s
2. The set representing the correct order of first ionisation potential is :
(A) K < Na < Li (B) Be > Mg > Ca (C) B > C > N (D) Ge > Si > C
3. The hydration energy of Mg2+ ion is higher than that of :
3+ 2+ +
(A) Al (B) Ca (C) Na (D) None of these
4. Going down in  A group, following properties decrease :
(A) solubility of sulphates in H2O (B) hydration energy
(C) thermal stability of carbonates (D) ionic radius in water.
5. Exceptionally small size of Lithium results in :
(A) Anomalous behaviour of Li+. (B) Its high polarising power.
(C) It has high degree of hydration. (D) Exceptionally low ionisation enthalpy.
6. Which of the following statement is incorrect ?
(A) The atomic radius of Na is greater than that of Mg.
(B) Metallic bond in Mg is stronger than the metallic bond in Na.
(C) Melting and boiling points of K are greater than those of Na.
(D) Mg and Ca both impart characteristic colour to the flame.
7. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true ?
(A) All alkali metals are soft and can be cut with knife.
(B) Alkali metals do not occur in free state in nature.
(C) Alkali metals are highly electropositive elements.
(D) Alkali metal hydrides are covalent and low melting solids.
8. Which is/are true statement(s)?
(A) The heats of hydration of the dipositive alkaline earth metal ions decreases with an increase in their
ionic size.
(B) Hydration of alkali metal ion is less than that of  A ion of the same period.
(C) Alkaline earth metal ions, because of their much larger charge to radius ratio, exert a much stronger
electrostatic attraction on the oxygen of water molecule surrounding them.
(D) None.
9. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
(A) Milk of lime is a suspension of Ca(OH)2 in water.
(B) Lime water is a clear solution of Ca(OH)2 in water.
(C) Baryta water is a clear solution of Ba(OH)2.
(D) Nitrolim is the mixture of CaCN2 and carbon.
10. Select correct statement(s) :
(A) Stability of peroxides and superoxides of alkali metals increases with increase in size of the cation.
(B) Increase in stability in (A) is due to stabilisation of large anions by larger cations through lattice
energy effects.
(C) The low solubility of LiF is due to its high lattice energy whereas low solubility of CsI is due to
smaller hydration energy .
(D) NaOH is not deliquescent .
11. Select correct statement(s) :
(A) Li2CO3 is only sparingly soluble in water and no LiHCO3 has been isolated.
(B) K2CO3 cannot be made by a method similar to the ammonia–soda (Solvay) process.
(C) Li2CO3 and MgCO3 both are thermally stable.
(D) KCl.MgCl2.6H2O is a mineral called carnallite.
12. Sodium bicarbonate can react with :
(A) Na2CO3 (B) NaOH (C) NaH (D) HCl
ADVSBC - 33
s-Block Elements
13. Aqueous solution of sodium carbonate can react with :
(A) MgCl2 (B) Ca(HCO3)2 (C) H2SO4 (D) CO2
14. Which of the following compounds are readily soluble in water?
(A) MgSO4 (B) SrSO4 (C) BeSO4 (D) BaSO4
15. Heating which of the following with C produces a metal sulphide?
(A) Na2SO4 (B) MgSO4 (C) BaSO4 (D) Li2SO4
16. Which of the following are correctly matched?
(A) Basic strength Cs2O < Rb2O < K2O < Na2O < Li2O
(B) Stability of peroxides Na2O2 < K2O2 < Rb2O2 < Cs2O2
(C) Stability of bicarbonates LiHCO3 < NaHCO3 < KHCO3 < RbHCO3 < CsHCO3
(D) Thermal stability of hydrides CsH < RbH < KH < NaH < LiH
17._ Electrolysis of aqueous NaCl may produce with mercuty cathode :
(A) Na–Hg (B) Cl2 (C) NaOH (D) H2
18. A substance (P) releases a gas (Q) on reaction with H2O. (Q) decolourises Br2 water. (P) may be :
(A) BeC2 (B) Be2C (C) Al4C3 (D) Mg2C3
19. Nitrate can be converted into metal oxide on heating not above 500ºC in case of :
(A) Li (B) Na (C) Mg (D) None of these.
20. A substance (P), when heated in a dry test tube, liberated a colourless odourless gas that rekindled a
glowing splinter. It may be :
(A) KClO3 (B) NaNO3 (C) K2SO3 (D) CaCO3
PART - IV : COMPREHENSION
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions.
Comprehension # 1
All alkali metals dissolve in anhydrous liquid ammonia to give blue colour solution. It is the ammoniated
electron which is responsible for the blue colour of the solution, and the electrical conductivity is mainly
due to ammoniated electron, [e(NH3)y]–. Dilute solutions are paramagnetic due to free ammoniated
electrons ; this paramagnetism decreases at higher concentration. Above 3M concentration, the
solutions are diamagnetic and no longer blue but are bronze/copper-bronze coloured with a metallic
luster.
1. Which of the following changes will be observed in concentrated solution of alkali metal in liquid
ammonia ?
(A) Deep blue colour of the solution due to ammoniated electron is retained.
(B) Solvated electrons associate to form electrons-pairs and paramagnetic character decreases.
(C) Reducing character is increased.
(D) Two of the above.
2. Which of the following statement about solution of alkali metals in liquid ammonia is correct ?
(A) The dilute solutions are bad conductor of electricity.
(B) Both the dilute solutions as well as concentrated solution are equally paramagnetic in nature.
(C) Charge transfer is responsible for the blue colour of the solution.
(D) None of these.
3. Ammoniated solutions of alkali metals are reducing agents due to the :
(A) solvated cation. (B) solvated unpaired electron.
(C) the liberation of hydrogen gas (D) (A) and (B) both
ADVSBC - 34
s-Block Elements
Comprehension # 2
Answer Q.4, Q.5 and Q.6 by appropriately matching the information given in the three columns
of the following table.
In Column–1 some compounds are given which are treated with the Column–2 compounds or
are heated then in column–3 corresponding observations are given.
Column-1 Column-2 Column-3
Any binary compound of
(I) (i) H2O (P) Liberation of O2 is possible
potassium & oxygen
Any alkaline earth metal
(II) (ii) HCl (Q) The resulting solution is alkaline
carbide
Any alkaline earth metal
(III) (iii) NaOH (R) A gaseous hydrocarbon is liberated
carbonate
A gaseous oxide of non metal A gaseous acidic oxide or acidic
(IV) (iv) heat (S)
in +4 state solution is formed
4._ Select the incorrect option :

(A) (I) (i) (P) (B) (II) (i) (R) (C) (III) (iv) (S) (D) (IV) (iii) (P)
5._ Select the correct option :
(A) (I) (ii) (R) (B) (I) (i) (Q) (C) (IV) (iii) (S) (D) (II) (i) (S)
6._ Select the correct option :
(A) (IV) (i) (S) (B) (III) (iv) (R) (C) (III) (iii) (S) (D) (III) (ii) (P)
PART - I : JEE (ADVANCED) / IIT-JEE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

* Marked Questions may have more than one correct option.
1. Property of the alkaline earth metals that increases with their atomic number is :
[JEE-1997(Cancelled), 2/200]
(A) ionisation energy (B) solubility of their hydroxides
(C) solubility of their sulphates (D) electronegativity
2.* Highly pure dilute solution of sodium in liquid ammonia : [JEE-1998, 1/200]
(A) shows blue colour. (B) exhibits electrical conductivity.
(C) produces sodium amide. (D) produces hydrogen gas.
3.* Sodium nitrate decomposes above 800°C to give : [JEE-1998, 1/200]
(A) N2 (B) O2 (C) NO2 (D) Na2O
4. Beryllium chloride shows acidic nature in water or why BeCl2 is easily hydrolysed ?[JEE-1999, 2/200]
5. The Haber's process can be represented by the following scheme :

CaCO3
NH3 + H2O
H2O CaO + CO2

B
A NaHCO3 + D NaCl
C + H2O
NH3+ H2O + E
Identify A, B, C, D and E. [JEE-1999, 5/200]
ADVSBC - 35
s-Block Elements
6. A white solid is either Na2O or Na2O2. A piece of red litmus paper turns white when it is dipped into a
freshly made aqueous solution of the white solid. [JEE-1999, 4/200]
(i) Identify the substances and explain with balanced equation.
(ii) Explain what would happen to the red litmus if the white solid were the other compound.
7. The set representing the correct order of first ionization potential is: [JEE-2001, 1/35]
(A) K > Na > Li (B) Be > Mg > Ca (C) B > C > N (D) Ge > Si > C
8. Identify the following :
SO2 Na2CO3 elemental S 2
Na2CO3   A   B   C  D

Also mention the oxidation state of S in all the compounds. [JEE-2003, 4/60]
9. Statement-1 : Alkali metals dissolve in liquid ammonia to give blue solutions.
Statement-2 : Alkali metals in liquid ammonia give solvated species of the type [M(NH3)n]+ (M = alkali
metals). [JEE-2007, 3/162]
(A) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True; Statement-2 is a correct explanation for Statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True; Statement-2 is NOT a correct explanation for Statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is False.
(D) Statement-1 is False, Statement-2 is True.
10.* The compound(s) formed upon combustion of sodium metal in excess air is(are) : [JEE-2009, 4/160]
(A) Na2O2 (B) Na2O (C) NaO2 (D) NaOH
PART - II : JEE (MAIN) / AIEEE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

1. KO2 (potassium super oxide) is used in oxygen cylinders in space and submarines because it :
(1) Absorbs CO2 and increases O2 contents (2) Eliminates moisture
(3) Absorbs CO2 (4) Produces ozone [AIEEE-2002]
2. A metal M readily forms water soluble sulphate MSO4 , water insoluble hydroxide M(OH)2 and oxide
MO which becomes inert on heating. The hydroxide is soluble in NaOH. The M is : [AIEEE-2002]
(1) Be (2) Mg (3) Ca (4) Sr
3. In curing cement plasters, water is sprinkled from-time to time. This helps in : [AIEEE-2003]
(1) developing interlocking needle like crystals of hydrate silicates
(2) hydrated sand gravel mixed with cement
(3) converting sand into silicic acid
(4) keeping it cool.
4. The substance not likely to contain CaCO3 is : [AIEEE-2003]
(1) calcined gypsum (2) sea shells (3) dolomite (4) a marble statue
5. The solubilities of carbonates decrease down the magnesium group due to a decrease in :
[AIEEE-2003]
(1) hydration energies of cations (2) inter ionic interaction
(3) entropy of solution formation (4) lattice energies of solids.
6. Several blocks of magnesium are fixed to the bottom of a ship to : [AIEEE-2003]
(1) make the ship lighter (2) prevent action of water and salt
(3) prevent puncturing by under-sea rocks (4) keep away the sharks.
7. One mole of magnesium nitride on the reaction with an excess of water gives : [AIEEE-2004]
(1) one mole of ammonia (2) one mole of nitric acid
(3) two moles of ammonia (4) two moles of nitric acid.
8. Beryllium and aluminium exhibit many properties which are similar. But, the two elements differ in
[AIEEE-2004]
(1) exhibiting maximum covalency in compounds (2) forming polymeric hydrides
(3) forming covalent halides (4) exhibiting amphoteric nature in their oxides.
ADVSBC - 36
s-Block Elements
9. Following statements regarding the periodic trends of chemical reactivity of the alkali metals and the
halogens are given. Which of these statements gives the correct picture ? [AIEEE-2006]
(1) The reactivity decreases in the alkali metals but increases in the halogens with increase in atomic
number down the group.
(2) In both the alkali metals and the halogens the chemical reactivity decreases with increase in atomic
(3) Chemical reactivity increases with increase in atomic number down the group in both the alkali
metals and halogens.
(4) In alkali metals the reactivity increases but in the halogens it decreases with increase in atomic
10. The ionic mobility of alkali metal ions in aqueous solution is maximum for : [AIEEE-2006]
(1) K+ (2) Rb+ (3) Li+ (4) Na+
11. Which one of the following orders presents the correct sequence of the increasing basic nature of the
given oxides ? [AIEEE-2011, 4/120]
(1) Al2O3 < MgO < Na2O < K2O (2) MgO < K2O < Al2O3 < Na2O
(3) Na2O < K2O < MgO < Al2O3 (4) K2O < Na2O < Al2O3 < MgO
12. The products obtained on heating LiNO3 will be : [AIEEE-2011, 4/120]

(1) Li2O + NO2 + O2 (2) Li3N + O2 (3) Li2O + NO + O2 (4) LiNO3 + O2
13. Which of the following on thermal decomposition yields a basic as well as acidic oxide ?
[AIEEE-2011, 4/120]
(1) NaNO3 (2) KClO3 (3) CaCO3 (4) NH4NO3
14. Which one of the following alkaline earth metal sulphates has its hydration enthalpy greater than its
lattice enthalpy ? [JEE(Main)-2015, 4/120]
(1) CaSO4 (2) BeSO4 (3) BaSO4 (4) SrSO4
15. The hottest region of Bunsen flame shown in the figure below is: [JEE(Main)-2016, 4/120]
region 4
region 3
region 2
region 1
(1) region 2 (2) region 3 (3) region 4 (4) region 1

16. The main oxides formed on combustion of Li, Na and K in excess of air are, respectively:
[JEE(Main)-2016, 4/120]
(1) LiO2, Na2O2 and K2O (2) Li2O2, Na2O2 and KO2
(3) Li2O, Na2O2 and KO2 (4) Li2O, Na2O and KO2
17. Both lithium and magnesium display several similar properties due to the diagonal relationship;
however, the one which is incorrect, is : [JEE(Main)-2017, 4/120]
(1) both form soluble bicarbonates
(2) both form nitrides
(3) nitrates of both Li and Mg yield NO2 and O2 on heating
(4) both form basic carbonates
ADVSBC - 37
s-Block Elements
EXERCISE - 1
PART – I
st nd
A-1. After removal of I electron alkali metal occupies inert gas configuration. Now removal of II electron
from inert gas configuration requires very high energy, therefore, they form unipositive ions. As IE1 of
these metals are low, the excitation of electrons can be done by providing less energy. This much of
energy can be given by Bunsen flame. When they drop back to the ground state, there is emission of
radiation in the visible region.
–1 –1
B-1. (a) The ionization enthalpy (iH) of potassium (419 kJ mol ) is less than that of sodium (496 kJ mol )
or more precisely the standard electrode potential (Eº) of potassium (– 2.925 V) is more negative than
that of sodium (– 2.714 V) and hence potassium is more reactive than sodium.
(b)E1 of Mg (3s2 ) > Na (3s1)
as Mg has fully filled electronic configuration while Na has one unpaired electron. 
 E2 of Mg (3s1) > Na (2p6)
as Mg+ (3s1) has one unpaired electron and Na+ has inert gas configuration.
B-2. Smaller the size of the ion, more highly it is hydrated and hence greater is the mass of the hydrated ion
and hence lower is its ionic mobility. Since the extent of hydration decreases in the order :
Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+
therefore, ionic mobility increases in the order :
Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+
C-1. The superoxide O2– is paramagnetic because of one unpaired electron in *2p molecular orbital.
C-2. In vapour state it exists as linear or dimeric molecules where as in solid it has polymeric structure,
Cl Cl
Cl – Be – Cl(g) (g) Be Be Be (s)
Cl
Cl
3
C-3. In [CO32–] all C–O bonds are equal due to resonance with B.O = , so their bond length will also be
2
equal.
C-4. There will be more polarisation of big anion due to Fajan's factors, so covalent character will be more in
–
I due to large size and Ionic character will be less.
MgCl2 > MgBr2 > MgI2
+ + +
C-5. Due to small size Li , it has high polarising power while from Na to Cs have bigger size. So they have
low polarising power. Li+ is more similar to Mg2+ in its properties, which destabilizes a polyatomic anion
due to its high polarising power.
C-6. BeSO4 < MgSO4 < CaSO4 < SrSO4
C-7. NaOH < KOH < RbOH < CsOH
C-8. Lithium is expected to be least reducing agent due to it’s very high I.E. However, lithium has the highest
hydration enthalpy due to small size which accounts for its high negative E and its high reducing
power.
D-1. Due to large atomic size & only one valence electron per atom, alkali metals have weak metallic bonds
as interparticle forces.
ADVSBC - 38
s-Block Elements
D-2.
Group-I + O2 (Major + N2 Group-II + O2 + N2
Elements product) (product) Elements (Major (product)
product) (Only on strong heating)
Li Li2O (Oxide) Li3N Be BeO Be3N2
Na Na2O2 It does not Mg MgO Mg3N2
(Peroxide) react
K KO2 It does not Ca CaO Ca3N2
(superoxide) react
Rb RbO2 It does not Sr SrO2 Sr3N2
(superoxide) react
Cs CsO2 It does not Ba BaO2 Ba3N2
(superoxide) react
1
D-3. (a) Na + H2O  NaOH + H2  (b) Ca + 2H2O  Ca(OH)2 + H2 
2
D-4. (i) M + H2SO4  M2SO4 + H2 

(ii) M + 2HCl  MCl2 + H2 
D-5. On dissolving Metal in Liquid NH3

M(s) + 2NH3()  M+(NH3) + e–(NH3)
M+ + x (NH3)  [M (NH3)x]+  Ammoniated cation
e– + y (NH3)  [e(NH3)y]–  Ammoniated electron
E-1. Small cation have high polarizing power therefore it stabilizes monoatomic anion.
e.g. Li2O
Large cation have less polarizing power therefore it can stabilize polyatomic anion.
e.g. Na2O2 ; KO2
E-2. NaOH is commercialy prepared by electrolysis of brine solution in diaphragm cell.
Brine
Cl2 Gas out H2 Gas out
(Raw material)
 
Carbon Carbon
anode Cathode
NaOH + NaCl(aq)
Asbestos diaphragm
– –
Anode reaction: 2Cl  Cl2 + 2e
Cathode reactions : 2H2O + 2e–  H2 + 2OH–
+
Na + OH–  NaOH
Over all reaction: 2Na+ + 2Cl– + 2H2O  2NaOH + H2 + Cl2
E-3. (i) Industrial method : It is a two stage reaction in presence of excess of air.
2Na + O2  Na2O
Na2O + O2  Na2O2
(ii) It is prepared by burning potassium in excess of oxygen free from moisture.
K + O2  KO2
Hydrolysis
0C
(i) with cold water, Na2O2 + 2H2O   2NaOH + H2O2
25C
At room temperature, 2Na2O2 + 2H2O   4NaOH + O2
1 1
(ii) KO2 + H2O  KOH + H2O2 + O2
2 2
ADVSBC - 39
s-Block Elements
E-4. (a) NaOH + HNO3  NaNO3 + H2O

base acid salt
(b) Li2O + H2SO4  Li2SO4 + H2O
25ºC
(c) Na2O2 + H2SO4(dilute)   2Na2SO4 + 2H2O + O2
(d) CaO + HCl  CaCl2 + H2O
E-5. 3Ca(OH)2 + 2H3PO4  Ca3(PO4)2 + 6H2O
E-6. NaOH + Al2 O3 (amphoteric metal oxide)  2NaAlO2 + H2O
base it will react as acid
+cold & dil. NaOH

NaCl+NaOCl+H2O
Sod. hypochlorite
E-7. Cl2
+hot & conc. NaOH
NaCl+NaClO3+H2O
Sod. chlorate
E-8. It goes under disproportionation reaction

(0) 1 3
P4 (white) + NaOH + H2O  NaH2 P O2 + P H3
Sod. hypophosphite Phosphine
F-1. BeCO3< MgCO3 < CaCO3 < SrCO3 < BaCO3

Stability of carbonates increases with increase in electropositive character and decrease in polarisation
power of metal.
F-2. (i) In ammonia absorber
NH3 + CO2 + H2O  NH4HCO3 ;
30C
NH4HCO3 + NaCl   NaHCO3  + NH4Cl
(ii) Calcination
150C
2 NaHCO3   Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
(iii) In recovery tower :-
 / steam
NH4 HCO3   NH3 + CO2 + H2O
 / steam
2NH4 Cl +Ca(OH)2   2NH3+ 2H2O+CaCl2
F-3. Na2CO3 + HCl(dil.)  NaCl + H2O + CO2
F-4. (a) 2NaHCO3 + H2SO4  2Na2SO4 + 2H2O + CO2

(b) Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2  CaCO3  + 2NaOH
(c) NaHCO3 + NaOH  Na2CO3 + H2O

(d) 2NaHCO3   Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2 
Boil
room temperature
 (e) NaHCO3 + CaCl2   No reaction.
G-1. BeSO4>MgSO4>CaSO4>SrSO4 Bigger cation is stable with bigger anion where as smaller cation is less
stable with bigger anion that why BeSO4 is more water soluble.
G-2. It is produced in large amount as a by product in solvey process.
120ºC,  1 3
G-3. CaSO4.2H2O   CaSO4. H2O (Plaster of Paris) + H2O
2 2
G-4. (i) Be2+ & O2– smaller in size & thus higher lattice energy and lattice energy is greater than hydration
energy in BeO where as in BeSO4 lattice energy is less due to bigger sulphate ion and is soluble.
Order of solubility : BeO < MgO < CaO < SrO < BaO
(ii) In BaSO4 lattice energy is greater than hydration energy while in BaO lattice energy is smaller than
hydration energy.
ADVSBC - 40
s-Block Elements
Order of solubility : BeSO4 > MgSO4 > CaSO4 > SrSO4 > BaSO4
G-5. NaOCl + HOH  NaOH + HOCl

G-6. CaCl2 + H2SO4 (conc.)   CaSO4 + 2HCl
+
H-1. Order is LiH > NaH > KH > RbH > CsH because small Li due to high polarisation power will stablise
smaller anion.
H-2. (a) CaC2 + 2H2O  Ca(OH)2 + C2H2

(b) Mg2C3 + 4HOH  2Mg(OH)2 + CH3 –CCH
500ºC, 
H-3. (i) 2MNO3 (metal nitrate)   2MNO2 (Metal nitrite) + O2 (except Li)
500ºC, 
4Li NO3   Li2O + 4NO2 + O2
 1
(ii) M(NO3)2   MO + 2NO2 + O2
2
H-4. (a) Li3N + 3H2O  3LiOH + NH3 (b) NaNH2 + H2O  NaOH + NH3
PART – II
A-1. (A) A-2. (B) B-1. (B) B-2. (A) C-1. (B)
C-2. (D) C-3. (D) C-4. (C) C-5. (B) C-6. (A)
D-1. (B) D-2. (D) D-3. (D) D-4. (D) D-5. (C)
E-1. (A) E-2. (A) E-3. (B) E-4. (D) E-5. (B)
E-6. (B) E-7. (C) E-8. (A) F-1. (B) F-2. (D)
F-3. (C) F-4. (A) F-5. (A) F-6. (C) G-1. (D)
G-2. (A) G-3. (C) G-4. (C) G-5. (A) H-1. (D)
H-2. (A) H-3. (D) H-4. (B) H-5. (D) H-6. (C)
PART – III
1. (A – p,r,s) ; (B – p,q) ; (C – p,q,r,s) ; (D – p,q, r).
2. (A – p) ; (B – p, q, s, t) ; (C – t) ; (D – q, r)
EXERCISE – 2
PART – I
1. (B) 2. (D) 3. (D) 4. (D) 5. (D)
6. (D) 7. (B) 8. (D) 9. (B) 10. (A)
11. (A) 12. (C) 13. (A) 14. (D) 15. (C)
16. (A) 17. (C) 18. (C) 19. (B) 20. (A)
21. (C) 22. (A)
PART – II
1. 7 (All except Be & Sr) 2. 3 (BeCl2 , NaHCO3, BeH2)
3. 9 (x = 3, y = 4, z = 2) 4. 15 (x = 5, y = 6, z = 4)
5. 4 (KO3, RbO2, Cs2O2, BaO2) 6. 3 (CO2) 7. 4 (1st four)
8. 18 (4, 3, 6, 5) 9. 10. 10. 3

ADVSBC - 41
s-Block Elements
PART – III
1. (AB) 2. (AB) 3. (BC) 4. (ABD) 5. (ABC)
6. (CD) 7. (ABC) 8. (ABC) 9. (ABCD) 10. (ABC)
11. (ABD) 12. (BCD) 13. (ABCD) 14. (AC) 15. (AC)
16. (BCD) 17. (ABCD) 18. (AD) 19. (AC) 20. (AB)
PART – IV
1. (D) 2. (D) 3. (B) 4. (D) 5. (B)
6. (A)
EXERCISE – 3
PART – I
1. (B) 2.* (AB) 3.* (ABD)
4. (i) Beryllium chloride is acidic, when dissolved in water because the hydrated ion hydrolysed producing
H3O+. This happens because the Be–O bond is very strong, and so in the hydrated ion this weakens
the O–H bonds, and hence there is tendency to lose portons.
BeCl2 + 4H2O  [Be(H2O)4] Cl2 ; [Be(H2O)4]2+ + H2O  [Be(H2O)3 (OH)]+ + H3O+
5. A = Ca(OH)2, B = NH4HCO3 , C = Na2CO3, D = NH4Cl, E = CaCl2
6. (i) Na2O2 is powerful oxidant and bleaching agent and bleaches red litmus paper to white in
aqueous solution according to the following reaction,
Na2O2 + 2H2O  2NaOH + H2O + [O]
[O] + Litmus  White (bleaching)
(ii) The other compound Na2O will give NaOH on dissolution in water according to the following
reaction.
Na2O + H2O  2NaOH .
The red litmus will turn to blue due to stronger alkaline nature of NaOH
7. (B)
H2 O
8. Na2CO3 + SO2   2NaHSO3 (A) + CO2
2NaHSO3 + Na2CO3  2Na2SO3 (B) + H2O + CO2

Na2SO3 + S   Na2S2O3 (C)
2Na2S2O3 + I2  Na2S4O6 (D) + 2NaI
Oxidation states of S + 4 in NaHSO3 [1 + 1 + x + 3(–2) = 0] and +4 in Na2SO3 [2 + x + 3(–2) = 0] ;
+ 6 and – 2 (or an average + 2) in Na2S2O3 and +5 and 0 (or an average + 5/2) in Na2S4O6.
9. (B) 10.* (AB)

PART – II
1. (1) 2. (1) 3. (1) 4. (1) 5. (1)
6. (2) 7. (3) 8. (1) 9. (4) 10. (2)
11. (1) 12. (1) 13. (3) 14. (2) 15. (1)
16. (3) 17. (4)
ADVSBC - 42
s-Block Elements

This Section is not meant for classroom discussion. It is being given to promote self-
study and self testing amongst the Resonance students.
PART - I : PRACTICE TEST-1 (IIT-JEE (MAIN Pattern))

Max. Time : 1 Hr. Max. Marks : 120
Important Instructions
1. The test is of 1 hour duration.
2. The Test Booklet consists of 30 questions. The maximum marks are 120.
3. Each question is allotted 4 (four) marks for correct response.
4. Candidates will be awarded marks as stated above in Instructions No. 3 for correct response of each
question. ¼ (one fourth) marks will be deducted for indicating incorrect response of each question. No
deduction from the total score will be made if no response is indicated for an item in the answer sheet.
5. There is only one correct response for each question. Filling up more than one response in any question
will be treated as wrong response and marks for wrong response will be deducted accordingly as per
instructions 4 above.
1. Which of the following has maximum ionisation energy ?
(1) Ba  Ba+ + e– (2) Be  Be+ + e– (3) Ca  Ca2+ + 2e– (4) Mg  Mg2+ + 2e–
2. Which of the following increases in magnitude as the atomic number of alkali metals increases?
(1) Electronegativity (2) First ionisation potential
(3) Ionic radius (4) Melting point
3. Alkali metals give colour in Bunsen flame due to :
(1) Low electronegativeity (2) One electron in outer most orbit
(3) Smaller atomic radii (4) Low ionisation energy
4. Which of the following s about solution of alkali metals in liquid ammonia is correct ?
(1) The solutions have strong oxidizing properties.
(2) Both the dilute solution as well as concentrated solution are paramagntic in nature.
(3) Colour of the solution is attributed to charge transfer spectrum.
(4) None of these.
5. Select the incorrect statement :
(1) Solutions of alkali metals in liquid ammonia are a good reducing agents because they contain free
or solvated electrons.
(2) The crystalline salts of alkaline earth metals contain more water of crystallisation than the
corresponding alkali metal salts.
(3) Atoms of alkaline earth metals have smaller size and more nuclear charge than alkali metal atoms
of same period.
(4) All alkali metal halides form hydrates.
6. Consider the following statements ;
S1 : Among alkali metal halides lithium iodide is the most covalent in nature.
S2 : Potassium has greater photoelectric work function than sodium.
S3 : The blue solution of alkali metals in liquid ammonia is stable at room temperature, where ammonia
is still a liquid, in the presence of Fe.
S4 : The melting and boiling points of alkali metal halides always follow the trend : chloride > fluoride >
bromide > iodide.
(1) T F F F (2) T T F F (3) T F T T (4) T T T F
ADVSBC - 43
s-Block Elements
7. Which of the following has the highest reactivity towards water ?
(1) Na (2) Rb (3) Li (4) K
8. Sodium burns in dry air to largely give :
(1) Na2O (2) Na2O2 (3) NaO2 (4) Na3N
9. Alkali metals are not characterised by :
(1) good conductor of heat and electricity (2) high oxidation potentials
(3) high melting points (4) solubility in liquid ammonia
10. In view of their ionisation energies, the alkali metals are :
(1) weak oxidising agents (2) strong reducing agents
(3) strong oxidising agents (4) weak reducing agents
11. Which of the following is incorrect statement :
(1) Solubilities of alkaline earth metal fluorides and hydroxides generally increase down the group.
(2) Hydration energies of alkali metal halides decrease down the group with increase in size of cations.
2+ +
(3) Mg ion is bigger than Li .
(4) BeCl2 is easily hydrolysed in water.
12. A metal (M) burns with dazzling brilliance in air above 1000ºC to give a white powder. The white
powder reacts with water to form a white precipitate (P) and a colourless gas (G) with a characteristic
smell. The metal (M) dissolves in conc. NaOH to liberate another gas(H). (H) may also be obtained on
heating (G). Then :
(1) M = Mg (2) M = Be (3) P = Ca(OH)2 (4) G = O3
13. Carbon can be oxidised to CO2 while heating its powder with :
(1) SO2 (2) KNO3 (3) K2CO3 (4) FeS2
14. What happens when sodium metal is heated in excess of dry air containing carbon dioxide gas ?
(1) Na2O2 is formed. (2) Na2O is formed. (3) Na2CO3 is formed. (4) Na3N is formed.
15. Solution of K2O in water is basic, because it contains a significant concentration of :
(1) O22– (2) O2– (3) OH– (4) K+
16. Which of the following oxides is formed when potassium metal is burnt in excess air ?
(1) KO3 (2) K2O (3) K2O2 (4) KO2
17. On commercial scale, sodium hydroxide is prepared by :
(1) Dow's process (2) Solvay process
(3) Castner-Kellner cell (4) Hall-Heroult process
18. Which of the following gives sodium hydroxide along with hydrogen gas on reaction with water ?
(1) Sodium oxide (2) Sodium amalgam (3) Sodium peroxide (4) Sodium carbonate.
19. Which of the following can exist in aqueous solution?
(1) Na2O (2) Na2O2 (3) KO2 (4) K2CO3
20. Which of the following salts are composed of isoelectronic cation and anion
(I) NaCl (II) BaCl2 (III) MgF2 (IV) CaS
(1) I and II (2) II and III (3) III & IV (4) None of these
21. Which of the following liberates H2 with cold water ?
(1) H2O2 (2) NaH (3) NaOH (4) Mg
22. When ionic nitrides react with water, the products are :
(1) acidic solution and hydrogen gas. (2) acidic solution and ammonia gas.
(3) basic solution and ammonia gas. (4) basic solution and hydrogen gas.
23. Low solubility of CsI in water is due to :
+ –
(1) smaller hydration enthalpy of Cs . (2) smaller hydration enthalpy of I .
(3) lower lattice enthalpy of its two ions. (4) (1) and (2) both.
ADVSBC - 44
s-Block Elements
24. Select the correct statement.
(1) Among the alkali metals, only lithium reacts with nitrogen directly at room temperature to form
nitride.
(2) Among the alkali metal carbonates, Li2CO3 has the lowest thermal stability.
(3) Among the alkali metal hydroxide, CsOH has the highest solubility in water.
(4) All of these.
25. NaNO3 is not used as gun powder because it is :
(1) hygroscopic (2) very costly (3) amorphous (4) soluble in water
26. A doctor by mistake administers a dilute Ba(NO3)2 solution to a patient for radiagraphic investigations.
Which of the following should be the best to prevent the absorption of soluble Barium and subsequent
Barium poisoning.
(1) NaCl (2) Na2SO4 (3) Na2CO3 (4) NH4Cl
27. Baking powder used to make cake is a mixture of starch, NaHCO3 and Ca(H2PO4)2. The function of
Ca(H2PO4)2 is :
(1) to slow down the release of CO2 gas
(2) it has acidic hydrogen and gives CO2 when moistened with NaHCO3
(3) to act as a filler
(4) None of these
28. Which salt hydrolyses to a minimum extent ?
(1) Mg(NO3)2 (2) Be(NO3)2 (3) Ca(NO3)2 (4) Ba(NO3)2 .
29. Methanides are :
(1) Mg2C3, Be2C, Al4C3 and CaC2 (2) Mg2C3, Be2C and Al4C3
(3) Be2C, Al4C3 and CaC2 (4) Be2C and Al4C3
30. Select correct statement :
(1) Interstitial carbides are formed by metalloids like Si and B.
(2) SiC and B4C are covalent carbides.
(3) B4C on hydrolysis gives methane.
(4) VC, WC are ionic carbides.
Practice Test-1 (IIT-JEE (Main Pattern))
OBJECTIVE RESPONSE SHEET (ORS)
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ans.
Que. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans.
Que. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans.
PART-II:NATIONAL STANDARD EXAMINATION IN CHEMISTRY (NSEC) STAGE-I

1. Which of the following is used in the photoelectric cells ? [NSEC-2000]
(A) cesium (B) sodium (C) lithium (D) francium
2. Bleaching powder is : [NSEC-2000]
(A) CaOCI2 (B) CaCIO (C) CaCIO3 (D) Ca(OCI)2
3. The chemistry of Li is very similar to that of Mg even though they belong to different groups. This is due
to the fact that [NSEC-2000]
(A) both occur in nature as compounds. (B) both have same electronic configuration
(C) both have nearly the same size (D) both have charge to size ratio nearly the same.
ADVSBC - 45
s-Block Elements
4. Fire extinguisher contains H2SO4 and [NSEC-2000]
(A) Na2CO3 (B) NaHCO3 solution (C) NaHCO3 & Na2CO3 (D) CaCO3
5. Washing soda is manufactured by : [NSEC-2001]
(A) Denni’s process (B) Hall’s process (C) Castener’s process (D) Solvay’s process
6. For which element crimson colour is obtained in flame test ? [NSEC-2002]
(A) sodium (B) barium (C) strontium (D) calcium
7. Alkali metal dissolves in liquid ammonia at –33°C to produce [NSEC-2002]
(A) violet colour (B) blue colour (C) reddish-violet colour (D) green colour.
8. Portland cement is [NSEC-2005]
(A) calcium aluminium silicate (B) alumina
(C) gypsum (D) calcium carbonate.
9. Crystals of washing soda lose nine molecules of water when exposed to dry air. This phenomenon is
known as [NSEC-2005]
(A) dehydration (B) efflorescence (C) deliquescence (D) evaporation.
10. Bleaching powder is made by passing CI2 into slaked lime. Its formula is [NSEC-2005]
(A) Ca(OCI)2 (B) CaO(OCI) (C) CaOCI2 (D) CaCI22H2O.
11. The metal that shows photoelectric emission at lowest frequency radiation is [NSEC-2005]
(A) beryllium (B) lithium (C) sodium (D) magnesium.
12. The lithium ion (Li+) and hydride ion (H–) are isoelectronic ions. Which statement about these systems
is true ? [NSEC-2006]
(A) Chemical properties of these ions are identical since they are isoelectronic.
(B) Li+ is a stronger reducing agent than H–
(C) More energy is needed to ionize H– than Li+
(D) Radius of H– is larger than that of Li+.
13. Which compound has largest lattice energy ? [NSEC-2006]
(A) LiBr (B) LiCI (C) Li (D) LiF.
14. Element having (4, 0, 0, + 1/2) as a set of four quantum numbers for its valence electron is-
[NSEC-2007]
(A) Na (B) Ca (C) K (D) Br
15. The commercial name of calcium hydride is [NSEC-2012]
(A) Lime (B) Hydrolyth (C) Slaked lime (D) Calgon
16. The crimson colour imparted to flame is due to a salt of : [NSEC-2012]
(A) Barium (B) Copper (C) Calcium (D) Strontium
17. The chemical formula of Plaster of Paris is [NSEC-2013]
(A) 2 CaSO4. H2O (B) CaSO4.2H2O (C) 3CaSO4.2H2O (D) CaSO4.H2O
18. The correct statement for crystalline CsI3 is [NSEC-2014]
(A) it contains Cs+, I– and molecular I2 (B) it is a covalent compound
(C) it contains Cs+ and I3– (D) it contains Cs3+ and I–
19. Sodium metal dissolves in liquid ammonia and forms a deep blue solution. The color is due to
absorption of light by [NSEC-2015]
(A) sodium ions (B) ammoniated electrons
(C) free electrons (D) ammoniated sodium ions
20.* The reaction that is least feasible is [NSEC-2015]
(A) Li2CO3  Li2O + CO2 (B) 4Li + O2  2 Li2O
(C) 6Li + N2  2Li3N . (D) 2C6H5CCH + 2Li  2C6H5CCLi + H2
ADVSBC - 46
s-Block Elements
PART - III : PRACTICE TEST-2 (IIT-JEE (ADVANCED Pattern))
Max. Time : 1 Hr. Max. Marks : 69
Important Instructions
A. General %
1. The test is of 1 hour duration.
2. The Test Booklet consists of 23 questions. The maximum marks are 69.
B. Question Paper Format
3. Each part consists of five sections.
4. Section 1 contains 7 multiple choice questions. Each question has four choices (A), (B), (C) and (D) out
of which ONE is correct.
5. Section 2 contains 6 multiple choice questions. Each question has four choices (A), (B), (C) and (D) out
of which ONE OR MORE THAN ONE are correct.
6. Section 3 contains 6 questions. The answer to each of the questions is a single-digit integer, ranging from
0 to 9 (both inclusive).
7. Section 4 contains 1 paragraphs each describing theory, experiment and data etc. 3 questions relate to
paragraph. Each question pertaining to a partcular passage should have only one correct answer among
the four given choices (A), (B), (C) and (D).
8. Section 5 contains 1 multiple choice questions. Question has two lists (list-1 : P, Q, R and S; List-2 : 1, 2,
3 and 4). The options for the correct match are provided as (A), (B), (C) and (D) out of which ONLY ONE
is correct.
C. Marking Scheme
9. For each question in Section 1, 4 and 5 you will be awarded 3 marks if you darken the bubble
corresponding to the correct answer and zero mark if no bubble is darkened. In all other cases, minus one
(– 1) mark will be awarded.
10. For each question in Section 2, you will be awarded 3 marks. If you darken all the bubble(s)
corresponding to the correct answer(s) and zero mark. If no bubbles are darkened. No negative marks will
be answered for incorrect answer in this section.
11. For each question in Section 3, you will be awarded 3 marks if you darken only the bubble corresponding
to the correct answer and zero mark if no bubble is darkened. No negative marks will be awarded for
incorrect answer in this section.
SECTION-1 : (Only One option correct Type)

This section contains 7 Single correct questions. Each questions has four choices (A), (B), (C)
and (D) out of which Only ONE option is correct.
1. Consider the following statements :

S1 : Beryllium and Magnesium are inert to oxygen and water.
S2 : Concentrated solutions of alkaline earth metals in ammonia are bronze coloured.
S3 : Calcium, strontium and barium reacts with cold water forming hydroxides and liberating hydrogen
gas.
S4 : Oxides and hydroxides of alkaline earth metals are more ionic and more basic than that of the
alkali metals.
(A) T T T T (B) T T T F (C) F T T F (D) F T F F
(A) The superoxide ion (i.e., O 2– ) is stable only in presence of larger cations such as K, Rb, Cs.
(B) Alkali metals are normally kept in kerosene oil.
(C) All the alkali metal hydrides are ionic solids with high melting points.
(D) The concentrated solution of alkali metals in liquid ammonia are strong paramagnetic in nature.
3. Sodium is heated in excess of air, free from CO2 at 3500C to form X. X absorbs CO2 and form Na2CO3
and Y. 'X' and 'Y' are respectively :
(A) Na2O and O2 (B) Na2O2 and O2 (C) NaO2 and O2 (D) Na2O2 and O3
ADVSBC - 47
s-Block Elements
4. What products are formed during the electrolysis of a concentrated aqueous solution of sodium
chloride?
. Cl2(g),  . NaOH (aq). , . H2(g).
(A)  only (B)  and  only (C)  and  only (D) All of these
5. The following flow diagram represents the manufacturing of sodium carbonate ?
(a) (b)
2 NH3 + H2O + CO2  (NH4)2CO3   NH4HCO3  
Which of the following option describes the underlined reagents, products and reaction conditions ?
Option (a) (b) (.c) (d)
(A) Carbon dioxide NaCl NH4Cl Heat
(B) Carbon dioxide NaCl NH4Cl catalyst
(C) Higher tempt. NaCl NH4Cl Heat
(D) Higher pressure NaCl NH4Cl Catalyst

–
(A) The effective component of bleaching powder is OCl .
(B) CaCO3 is obtained when quick lime is heated with coke in an electric furnace.
(C) Anhydrous CaSO4 is dead burnt plaster.
(D) BaCO3 is obtained on fusion of BaSO4 and Na2CO3.
7. Consider the following statements,
S1 : Gypsum contains a lower percentage of calcium than plaster of pairs.
S2 : Plaster of paris can be re-obtained by hydration of 'dead plaster'.
3
S3 : Gypsum loses of its water of crystallisation forming plaster of paris at 120ºC.
2
S4 : Plaster of paris can be obtained by partial oxidation of gypsum.
(A) T F T F (B) F F T F (C) T T F F (D) T T T T
Section-2 : (One or More than one options correct Type)

This section contains 6 multipole choice questions. Each questions has four choices (A), (B),
(C) and (D) out of which ONE or MORE THAN ONE are correct.
8. Select the correct statement with respect to the deep blue solution of an alkali metal in liquid ammonia.
(A) Its paramagnetism decreases with increasing concentration.
(B) It has lower density than pure solvent (i.e. liquid ammonia).
(C) Its conductivity decreases with increasing concentration to minimum at about 0.05 molar; thereafter
it again increases.
(D) Evaporation of ammonia from the solution yields alkali metal.
9. Freshly prepared pure dilute solution of sodium in liquid ammonia :
(A) shows copper - bronze colour.
(B) occupy larger volume than that from the sum of the volumes of Na and NH3().
(C) reduces the GeH4 to GeH2–.
(D) produces sodium amide and hydrogen gas with rusty iron wire.
10. Which of the following disproportionate(s) on heating with sodium hydroxide ?
(A) P4 (B) S8 (C) Cl2 (D) B.
11. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct ?
(A) Pure sodium oxide is obtained by heating the mixture of sodium azide and sodium nitrite.
(B) Glauber's salt effloresces in moist air.
(C) Potassium superoxide on heating in an evacuated and sealed tube yields sodium thiosulphate.
(D) Gypsum dissovle in ammonium sulphate solution.
ADVSBC - 48
s-Block Elements
12. Select correct statement(s) :
(A) CaCO3 is more soluble in a solution of CO2 than in H2O.
(B) Na2CO3 is converted to Na2O and CO2 on heating.
(C) Li2CO3 is thermally unstable.
(D) Presence of CaCl2 or CaSO4 in water causes temporary hardness.
13. The pair (s) of compounds which can exist together in aqueous solutions is/are ?
(A) NaH2PO4 and Na2HPO4 (B) NaHCO3 and NaOH.
(C) Na2HPO3 and NaOH (D) NaHSO4 and NaOH.
Section-3 : (One Integer Value Correct Type.)

This section contains 6 questions. Each question, when worked out will result in one integer
from 0 to 9 (both inclusive)
14. M + (X + Y)NH3  [M(NH3)x]2+ + 2[e(NH3)4]–

where M = alkaline earth metal.
Value of x is.... .
15. How many of the following are correctly matched :
Hydration energy : Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+
+ + + + +
Mobility of ions (aq) : Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs
Density : Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs
Reaction with N2 : Li < Na < Rb < Cs < K
Reducing nature of gas phase : Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs
Reducing nature in aq. phase : Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs
16. How many of the following statements are correct ?
(a) BeO is amphoteric in nature.
(b) LiHCO3 is not found in solid state.
(c) K2O2 is diamagnetic but KO2 is paramagnetic.
(d) White phosphorous react with castic soda and gives phosphine gas.
(e) AlCl3 is soluble in excess of NaOH and form sodium meta aluminate.
(f) Anhydrous potassium nitrate on heating with potassium metal gives potassium oxide and nitrogen
gas.
(g) Lithium chloride is highly soluble in water.
(h) Hydrated magnesium chloride on heating in dry air gives anhydrous MgCl2.
17. How many of the following orders are correct :
(A) Be(OH) 2 < Mg(OH) 2 < Ca(OH) 2 < Ba(OH) 2 Basic character
(B) BaCO3 > SrCO3 > CaCO3 > MgCO3. Decomposition temperature
(C) Na + > Mg 2+ > Li + > Be 2+ Size
(D) Li2CO3 > Na2CO3 > K2CO3 > Rb2CO3 > Cs2CO3 Water solubility
(E) Na2O2 < K2O2 < Rb2O2 < Cs2O2 Stability
(F) LiHCO3 < NaHCO3 < KHCO3 < RbHCO3 < CsHCO3 Stability
(G) NaF < NaCl < NaBr < NaI Melting point
 (H) Na2O2 < KO2 < O2[AsF4] O–O bond length
18. How many of the following bicarbonates are solid in nature?
LiHCO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, RbHCO3, CsHCO3, CsHCO3, Be(HCO3)2, Mg(HCO3)2, Ca(HCO3)2,
Sr(HCO3)2, Ba(HCO3)2
19. How many types of products are formed when LiNO3 and NaNO3 are heated at 500ºC
SECTION-4 : Comprehension Type (Only One options correct)

This section contains 1 paragraph, describing theory, experiments, data etc. 3 questions relate
to the paragraph. Each question has only one correct answer among the four given options (A),
(B), (C) and (D)
ADVSBC - 49
s-Block Elements
Paragraph for Question Nos. 20 to 22
Alkali metals oxide are obtained by combustion of the metals. Although Na normally gives Na2 O2, it will
take up further oxygen at elevated pressure and temperatures to form NaO2. The per and superoxides
of the heavier alkalies can also be prepared by passing stoichiometric amounts of oxygen into their
solution in liquid ammonia.
The different alkali metal oxides can be distinguished by reaction with water. The superoxides reacts
with CO2 and give oxygen gas. The stability of per and superoxides is based upon that larger cation can
stablise larger anion, due to larger lattice energy.
Alkali metals dissolve in liquid ammonia. Dilute solutions are dark blue in colour but as the
concentration increases above 3M, the colour changes to copper bronze and the solution acquires the
metallic lusture due to the formation of metal ions clusters. The solution of alkali metals in liquid
ammonia are good conductors of electricity due to the presence of ammoniated cations and
ammoniated electrons. However, the conductivity decreases as the concentrations increases, since
ammoniated electrons and ammoniated cation associate.
20. Solution of sodium metals in liquid ammonia is strongly reducing due to the presence of :
(A) Sodium hydride (B) Sodium atoms (C) Sodium amide (D) Solvated electrons.
21. KO2 is used in oxygen cylinders in space and submarines because it.
(A) Eliminates moisture (B) Absorbs CO2 only
(C) Absorbs CO2 and increases O2 contents (D) Produces ozone.
22. Select the correct choice for alkali metal oxides.
(A) Metal oxides reacts with water forming only metal hydroxides
(B) Metal peroxides reacts with warm water forming metal hydroxides and oxygen gas
(C) Metal superoxides reacts with water forming metal hydroxide, Hydrogen peroxide and O2 gas
(D) All of these
SECTION-5 : Matching List Type (Only One options correct)

This section contains 1 questions, each having two matching lists. Choices for the correct
combination of elements from List-I and List-II are given as options (A), (B), (C) and (D) out of
which one is correct
23. Match the reactions given in List I with the main products obtained and given in List II and select the
correct answer using the code given below the lists.
List – I List - II
(Reaction at given temperature) (Reaction involve)
(P) 200C,  (1) Formation of lime
CaSO4.2H2O  
(Q) 1100C,  (2) Setting of plaster of paris
CaSO4.2H2O  
(R) room temp. (3) Formation of burnt plaster
2CaSO4.H2O + H2O  
(S) 120C,  (4) Formation of plaster of paris
CaSO4.2H2O  
Code :
P Q R S P Q R S
(A) 1 3 4 2 (B) 4 1 2 3
(C) 3 1 2 4 (D) 4 2 1 3
ADVSBC - 50
s-Block Elements
PART - I
1. (4) 2. (3) 3. (4) 4. (4) 5. (4)
6. (1) 7. (2) 8. (2) 9. (3) 10. (2)
11. (3) 12. (2) 13. (2) 14. (3) 15. (3)
16. (4) 17. (3) 18. (2) 19. (4) 20. (3)
21. (2) 22. (3) 23. (4) 24. (4) 25. (1)
26. (2) 27. (2) 28. (4) 29. (4) 30. (2)
PART-II
1. (A) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (D)
6. (C) 7. (B) 8. (A) 9. (B) 10. (C)
11. (C) 12. (D) 13. (D) 14. (C) 15. (B)
16. (D) 17. (A) 18. (C) 19. (B) 20. (AD)
PART - III
1. (B) 2. (D) 3. (B) 4. (D) 5. (A)
6. (B) 7. (A) 8. (ABCD) 9. (BCD) 10. (ABC)
11. (AD) 12. (AC) 13. (AC) 14. 6 15. 2
16. 6. 17. 5 (Except D,G,H) 18. 4 19. 4
20. (D) 21. (C) 22. (D) 23. (A)
PART - I
1. Down the group size increases and therefore, attraction between valence shell electron and nucleus
decreases and thus ionisation energy decreases.
2. (1) Down the group, the atomic size increases with increasing atomic number and so attraction for
shared pair of electrons decreases. Hence electronegativity decreases.
(2) Down the group, the atomic size increases with increasing atomic number and so attraction between
valence electron and nuclear decreases. Hence ionization energy decreases.
(3) Down the group atomic size increases with increase in number of atomic shells while effective
nuclear charge remains constant.
(4) Down the group atomic size increases with increase in number of atomic shells and therefore, the
strength of metallic bond decreases. So melting point decreases.
3. Alkali metals have low ionisation energy.
4. All are wrong. The solution has strong reducing nature and coloured due to ammoniated electron. Dilute
solution is paramagnetic whereas concentrated solution is diamagnetic.
5. (2) Smaller cation and higher charge attracts more numbers of water molecules.
(3) Periodic property
(4) Except Li+, due to bigger size of ions they have low hydration enthalpies. Hence except lithium, all
alkali metal halides do not form hydrates.
ADVSBC - 51
s-Block Elements
+ –
6. S1 : Li being smaller have high polarising power and  being larger have high polarisability. So it is
most covelent among alkali metal halides according to Fajan's rule.
S2 : The IE1 of potussium atom is less then sodium atom.
S3 : The presence of transition metals like iron and other impurities catalyses the decompositon of deep
blue solution forming amide and liberating H2.
S4 : Two opposing tendencies exists. With greater charge and smaller size of cation, lattice energy
increases which tends to increase the melting point ; while increase in covalent character causes a
decrease in melting point. Hence, no unique generalised trend may be stated for melting points.
(Students need not worry about or memorise such experimental data).
7. The reaction of alkali metals with water becomes increasingly violent on descending the group on
account of their decreasing ionisation energies with increasing atomic size. So, the order of reactivity is:
Li < Na < K < Rb.
8. 2Na + O2  Na2O2
9. They have weak metallic bond because of one valence electron per atom. So they have low melting
points.
10. They easily lose valence shell electron because of their low ionisation energies, on account of their
bigger atomic sizes. So they behave as strong reducing agents.
11. (1) Factual 
1
 (2) Hydration energy  .
size of cation
(3) Both are diagonally related ; because of more positive charge on Mg, Mg2+ is smaller than Li+.
Li+ = 76 pm, Mg2+ = 72 pm.
(4) Salt of weak base and strong acid, thus easily hydrolysed in water giving acidic solution.
T 1000C
12. Be + Air   BeO + Be3N2 (white powder)
Be3N2 + 6H2O 3Be (OH)2 (white precipitate) + 2NH3 (Colourless gas)
Heat 1
13. KNO3  KNO2 + O2
2
C + O2  CO2
Heat
14. 2Na + O2  Na2O2 ; 2Na2O2 + 2CO2  2Na2CO3 + O2
15. K2O + H2O  2 KOH  K+ + OH–.
The resulting solution is basic due to the presence of OH–.
burning
16. K + O2   KO2.
17. Sodium hydroxide is manufactured by the electrolysis of brine using Castner-Kellner cell.
18. (1) Na2O + H2O  2 NaOH
(2) 2 Na/Hg + 2 H2O (Castner-Kellner cell)  2NaOH + 2 Hg + H2.
(3) Na2O2 + 2H2O  2 NaOH + H2O2
(4) Na2CO3 + 2H2O 2NaOH + H2CO3
19. (1), (2) & (3) reacts with water being more basic than water.
20. Isoelectronic species have same number of electrons.
21. All alkali metal hydrides are ionic in nature and react with water according to the reaction ;
NaH + H2O NaOH + H2.
22. Mg3N2 + 6H2O  3 Mg(OH)2 + 2NH3
+ –
23. True statement. The CsI, because of bigger cation (Cs ) and bigger anion (I ), has smaller hydration
enthalpy. As a result, it does not exceed its lattice energy ; so CsI is insoluble in water.
ADVSBC - 52
s-Block Elements
24. (1) Lithium show exceptional behavior in reaction directly with nitrogen of air to form the nitride, Li3N.
(2) Smaller cation (Li+) polarises bigger anion ( CI2–3 ) liberating CO2 gas. So it has the lowest thermal
stability.
(3) The solubility of the alkali metal hydroxides increases down the group from Li to Cs. This is because
of the fact that down the group with increasing size of cation, the lattice energy as well as hydration
energy also decreases but the change in lattice energy is more as compare to that of hydration energy.
25. NaNO3 is not used as gun powder because it is hygroscopic in nature and becomes wet by absorbing
water molecules from the atmosphere. Therefore, (1) option is correct.
26. Na2SO4.
27. Baking powder used to make cake is a mixture of starch, NaHCO3 and Ca(H2PO4)2. The function of
Ca(H2PO4)2 is being acidic in nature and gives CO2 when moistened with NaHCO3.
28. Ba(NO3)2 results a neutral solution as it is the salt of strong acid, HNO3 and strong base, Ba(OH)2.
29. Methanides give CH4 on reaction with H2O.
Al4C3 + 12H2O  4Al(OH)3 + 3CH4 ; Be2C + 4H2O  2Be(OH)2 + CH4
30. Factual.
PART - III
1. S1 : Because of the formation of an oxide film on their surface.
S2 : Due to the formation of metal ion clusters.
S3 : As the basicity (i.e. electropositive character) of alkaline earth metals increases, their reactivity
towards water increases.
S4 : Oxides and hydroxides of alkaline earth metals are less ionic and basic. This is due to increased
nuclear charge and smaller size.
2. (A) Bigger anion is stabilised by bigger cation through lattice energy effect.
(B) Because of their high reactivity towards air and water on account of their higher electropositive
character
(C) All alkali metals are highly basic in nature and, therefore, their hydrides are ionic solids with high
melting points.
(D) In concentrated solution, unpaired electrons with opposite spins paired up-forming the solution
diamagnetic.
350ºC
3. 2 Na + O2(air)   Na2O2 (X)
2 CO2 + 2 Na2O2  2 Na2CO3 + O2 (Y)
450ºC 180ºC
Note : Na2O2 + O2   2 NaO2 ; Na + O2 (limited amount)   Na2O
300 atm
+ – – –
4. NaCl  Na + Cl ; 2 Cl  Cl2  + 2e
HOH  H+ + OH– ; 2H+ + 2e–  H2  ; Na+ + OH–  NaOH.
CO2
5. NH3 + H2O + CO2  (NH4)2CO3   NH4HCO3
NH4HCO3 + NaCl  NaHCO3 + NH4Cl.
Heat
2 NaHCO3  Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
1373 K

6. (B) CaO + 3 C   CaC2 + CO.
393 K
7. CaSO4. 2 H2O   2 CaSO4.H2O (Calcium sulphate hemihydrate).
120ºC
8. (A) Very dilute solutions of the metals are paramagnetic, with approximately one unpaired electron per
metal atom (corresponding to one solvated electron per metal atom); this paramagnetism decreases at
higher concentration because of the association of unpaired electrons of opposite spins.
ADVSBC - 53
s-Block Elements
(B) According to the cavity concept, they occupy far greater volume than that expected from the sum of
the volumes of metal and solvent and, therefore, these dilute solutions are of much lower density than
pure solvent.
(C) Conduction is due mainly to the presence of solvated electrons. As the solutions are made more
concentrated, the molar conductivity at first decreases, reaching a minimum at about 0.05 molar ;
thereafter, it increases again until in saturated solutions (it is comparable to that of the metal).
(D) Evaporation of the ammonia from solutions of alkali metals yields the metal, but with alkaline earth
2+
metals evaporation of ammonia gives hexammoniates of the metals, [M(NH3)6] .
9. (A) The alkali metals dissolve in liquid ammonia giving blue solutions.
M + (x + y) NH3  [M(NH3 )x ]+ + [e(NH3)y]–
The blue colour, corresponding to a broad absorption band near 1500 nm that tails into the visible
range, is attributed to the solvated electron.
(B) According to the cavity concept, they occupy far greater volume than that expected from the sum of
the volumes of metal and solvent.
(C) The solution of metals in liquid ammonia act as powerful reducing agents (it even reduces the
aromatic ring)
– –
GeH4 + e  GeH2 + H2.
(D) In the presence of impurities or transition metals like Fe ; MNH2 and H2 gas are formed.
1
M + NH3  MNH2 + H2
2
10. (A) P4 + 3 NaOH + 3 H2O  PH3 + 3 NaH2PO2


(B) 4S + 6 NaOH   Na2S2O3 + 2 Na2S + 3 H2O
(C) 3 Cl2 + 6 NaOH  5 NaCl + NaClO3 + 3 H2O
(D) 2B + 6 NaOH  2 Na3BO3 + 3 H2
11. (A) 3NaN3 + NaNO2 2Na2O + 5N2 .
(B) False Glauber's salt (Na2SO4.10H2O) effloresces in dry air.

(C) 2 KO2 + S   K2SO4 .
(D) Form soluble double sulphate, (NH4)2SO4.CaSO4.H2O (soluble complex).
12. (A) CaCO3 + H2O + CO2  Ca(HCO3)2 soluble.

(B) Sodium is more basic (i.e. more ionic) in nature ; so Na2CO3 is thermally stable towards heat. It
does not decompose to give Na2O and CO2
(C) Li is least basic (i.e. more covalent) in nature ; so Li2CO3 is thermally unstable.
(D) Presence of CaCl2 or CaSO4 in water causes permanent hardness. Temporary hardness of water is
due to the presence of bicarbonates of Ca2+ and Mg2+.
13. (A) Both are acid salts ; so they can exist together in aqueous solution.
(B), (D) A base (NaOH) and an acid salt (NaHSO4 and NaHCO3 ) cannot exist together in solution.
Acid + base  salt + water.
(C) Na2HPO3 is a neutral salt ; so it does not further react with NaOH.
14. When alkaline earth metal except Be, Mg is dissolved in liquid NH3, we get hexaammoniated metal ion.
15. Hydration energy : Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+
+ + + + +
Mobility of ions (aq) : Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs
Density : Li < K < Na < Rb < Cs
Reaction with N2 : Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs
Reducing nature of gas phase : Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs
Reducing nature in aq. phase : Li > Cs > Rb > K > Na
16. (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) & (f) are correct.
(a) BeO is amphoteric in nature becuase it reacts with acid as well as base.

(b) LiHCO3   Li2CO3 + H2O + CO2
(d) H2O + NaOH + P4  NaH2PO2 + PH3
ADVSBC - 54
s-Block Elements
(e) AlCl3 + 4NaOH (excess)  NaAlO2 + 2H2O + 3NaCl
(f) KNO3 + K  K2O + N2
(h) MgCl2.6H2O  MgO + HCl + H2O.
17. 5 (Except D,G,H)
18. Only NaHCO3, KHCO3, RbHCO3, CsHCO3 are present in solid form.

19. LiNO3   Li2O + NO2 + O2

NaNO3   NaNO2 + O2
20. Here solvated electrons acts as a reducing agent.
21. 4KO2 + 3CO2  2K2CO3 + 3O2
22. (A) M2O + H2O  2MOH

(B) M2O2 + H2O  2MOH + 1/2O2
(C) 2MO2 + 2H2O  2MOH + H2O2 + O2
120C,  1 200C,  1100C, 

23. CaSO4.2H2O   CaSO4. H2O   CaSO4  CaO + SO3
2
(Gypsam) (plaster of paris) (burnt or dead plaster) (lime)
ADVSBC - 55

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s-BLOCK ELEMENTS

Additional Problems For Self Practice (APSP) 43 – 50

JEE (MAIN) SYLLABUS

Section (A) : General facts about elements

Higher oxidation zone

Higher reduction zone 1560ºC

Section (B) Based on Periodic trends

Section (C) & (D) : Based on Chemical Bonding, Properties of elements

S.No. Physical Property Alkali metals Alkaline earth metals

(iv) They also react with proton donors such as

(iv) The ionic hydrides of Ca, Sr, Ba liberate H2 at

Reducing potentials reducing power is less than those of their

nature E /V for corresponding alkali metals. Beryllium has less

Covalent carbides : Molecules like SiC and B4C are

Solutions in liquid NH3

Alkaline metal in liq. NH3

Uses of alkali metal

Uses of alkaline metal

Points of Similarities between Lithium and Magnesium

Anamolous Behaviour of Beryllium

5. Salts The salts of beryllium as well as aluminium are extensively hydrolysed.

Name and Brief

Properties of Potassium superoxide (KO2)

4. Magnesium Oxide (MgO):

(2) By Diaphragm cell

Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2  2NaOH + CaCO3

(10). NaOH + Metal Oxide (M) +3

Section (F) : Carbonates, Bicarbonates

Section (G) : Chlorides, Sulphates

 Marked Questions may have for Revision Questions.

PART - I : SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

Section (D) : Properties of elements

D-4._ (i) M + H2SO4  ............ + .............. (where M = group-I elements)

Section (E) : Oxides, Peroxides, Super Oxides, Hydroxides

E-8. P4 (white) + NaOH + H2O 

Section (F) : Carbonates, Bicarbonates

F-2._ Write chemical changes of solvay process.

F-3. Na2CO3 + HCl (dil.) 

Section (G) : Chlorides, Sulphates

G-4. How would you explain ?

G-5. NaOCl + HOH 

Section (H) : Miscellaneous (Hydrides, Carbides, Nitrates)

H-4. (a) Li3N + H2O  (b) NaNH2 + H2O 

PART - II : ONLY ONE OPTION CORRECT TYPE

Section (B) : Based on Periodic trends

Section (C) : Based on Chemical Bonding

C-5._ Which is amphoteric ?

Section (E) : Oxides, Peroxides, Super Oxides, Hydroxides

Section (F) : Carbonates, Bicarbonates

F-4. CaCO3 + HNO3  Products :

H-3. Be2C + H2O  Be(OH)2 + [X] ; "X" is :

H-4. At high temperature, nitrogen combines with CaC2 to give :

PART - III : MATCH THE COLUMN

 Marked Questions may have for Revision Questions.

4. Select the correct statement with respect to alkali metals.

21. Setting of plaster of paris involves :

PART - II : SINGLE AND DOUBLE VALUE INTEGER TYPE

3. For alkali metal M :

7._ How many of the following statement is/are correct?

8. A + B + H2O  (NH4)HCO3

4._ Select the incorrect option :

PART - I : JEE (ADVANCED) / IIT-JEE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

5. The Haber's process can be represented by the following scheme :